MOSCOW (Sputnik), Svetlana Alexandrova — Speaking with the nation during his annual Direct Line show on Thursday, Putin said that economic growth had dipped in 2016 but described the outlook for 2017 as positive.
"What President Putin said about the developments of the Russian economy in 2016 proves once again that the Russian economy being open to the global markets is influenced by what happened on the international market," IRCC President Rosario Alessandrello said.
He cited economic reports that showed the global economy was growing less since the start of this year compared to earlier forecasts. The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday slashed the forecast for global growth in 2016 to 3.2 percent by 0.2 points.
As a positive trend, the IRCC chief pointed out that Russian currency’s reserves were strengthening and the unemployment level was among the lowest in Europe.
Putin said that the national unemployment remained relatively low at 5.6 percent, despite a "very minor increase" in 2016. International reserves saw a return to early 2014 levels, with the Russian Reserve Fund holding enough money to last Russia for at least four years.
