Russia political pundits believe that Putin is more interested in created a free trade zone within Eurasia, tapping small and poor nations like Belarus and even Kazakhstan, both not members of the WTO.
Many foreign companies, including Chinese-owned, are tapping into its natural resources, although critics say that most poor people are not benefiting from the surge in business.
Manila Water, a utility in the Philippines, reduced the amount of water it was losing, through wastage and illegal tapping, from 63% in 1997 to 12% in 2010 by making water affordable for the poor.