§ Hungary and, to a lesser extent, Bulgaria have shown greater interest in establishing co-operative ventures with Western countries; the atmosphere at the 1984 Leipzig Fair was more relaxed than in previous years. Conditions for conducting business in Eastern Europe, however, remain basically unchanged, especially as hard currency debts necessitate import restrictions and substitutions.
§ In the Soviet Union, a new law which took effect from 1st February made it an offence to pass "economic, scientific and technical information constituting a professional secret to foreigners, organisations or their representatives". Penalties of two years corrective labour to eight years deprivation of liberty were specified. This was evidently designed to inhibit contacts between Soviet officials and foreigners, including businessmen.
1474WA§ The continuing absence of direct long-distance dialling, except to some of the larger Western Embassies and companies, remains an impediment to efficient business.