04 December 2003 13:49
Putin`s aide upbeat on Russia`s economic performance in 2003
Moscow, 4 December: Russian president's economic aide Andrey Illarionov believes that the 6.5-per cent growth in
GDP is the main preliminary result of the year. "This figure will probably be slightly higher following its
adjustment next spring after the results of small businesses' performance are summed up and after businesses that
are not subject to registration are valued," Illarionov said.
He said the preliminary results significantly exceed last year's and they are above the 3.5-4.4-per cent growth
figures forecast by the government. At the same time, the presidential aide said that the pace of economic growth in
Russia is lower than in other countries, such as the USA and China. Now that the preliminary results have been summed up
it becomes clear that Russia will not occupy leading positions as far as this indicator is concerned.
Illarionov stressed that economic growth in Russia has been quite unstable in the past four years and "periods
of decent growth alternated with periods of stagnation and falling output".
[ITAR-TASS news agency] |
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