According to the applicable legislation, the government may use the stabilization fund assets from the moment it exceeds 500 billion rubles.
By the end of this year the stabilization fund is expected to amount to 417 billion rubles, reporters were told in the vice-premier's office.
Mr. Zhukov also informed the agency heads that in 2005-2007 the Russian budget surplus will be 0.5-1% of the GDP.
The Fich Rating agency studies the possibility of extending the investment credit rating to Russia, a source in the vice-premier's office told reporters following Alexander Zhukov's meeting with the agency administration.
"The agency's mission in Russia assesses the situation related to potential extension of the investment credit rating to our country", said a source in Mr. Zhukov's office.
According to the office spokesmen, discussed during the meeting were government's strategic steps to ensure economic growth and structural reforms in Russia.
Mr. Zhukov briefed the agency's representatives on planned parameters of budget-2005. He also said that by the end of this year the budget surplus will amount to 378 billion rubles or 2.4% of the GDP.
