18 June 2004 20:40
EEC GDP in up 8% in first quarter
MOSCOW. June 18 (Interfax) - GDP in countries in the Eurasian Economic Community in the first quarter increased 8%
year-on-year, with inter-community trade up 31.4% and investment up 8%, EEC Secretary General Grigory Rapota said at an
international forum in Astana.
Consistent growth has been noted in all countries in the community "inflation is falling, national currencies
are strengthening and public prosperity is increasing," Rapota said.
Rapota called on countries in the EEC to actively cooperate so as
to set up a customs union by 2006 and after - to establish a fully-
Rapota expressed his confidence in the effectiveness of the organization. "I think that, without exaggerating,
we can call the Eurasian Economic Community an acting model for a future Eurasian union of states," he said.
Rapota also said that a free trade zone is operating as part of the community, antidumping procedures have been
reduced to a minimum, participating countries have signed 60 agreements and another 10 are being considered by national
bodies.
fledged common economic space.
The Eurasian Economic Community includes Kazakhstan, Belarus, Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, Armenia and Moldova.
Ukraine has observer status. [RU EUROPE ASIA EEU EMRG ECI MCE KZ BY KG TJ AM MJ UA FRX] rd <>
[Interfax] |
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