MOSCOW, February 11 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will allocate $43.5 million in 2006-2010 for the International Monetary Fund's aid program for the world's poorest countries that have suffered external shocks, President Vladimir Putin said Saturday.
"Just a few days ago, we decided to participate in the International Monetary Fund's aid program for the world's poorest countries that have suffered external shocks," he said at a meeting with G8 finance ministers.
"To this end, a voluntary contribution of 30 million SDRs [Special Drawing Rights, an international reserve asset created by the IMF], which is equivalent to about $43.5 million, will be made in the 2006-2010 period," Putin said.
At their meeting in Moscow Saturday, the G8 finance ministers urged donor countries, including oil producing nations, to contribute to the IMF's anti-shock fund.
Putin noted that Russia, which holds the rotating presidency of the G8, intended to propose for discussion a range of issues relating to the G8's development agenda.
"This issue is our constant focus of attention. Russia is planning to deepen its involvement in international efforts in this area," Putin said.
