MOSCOW, December 14 (RIA Novosti) - Imports into Russia declined 20%, year-on-year, in November amid a weaker demand prompted by the global financial crisis, Central Bank First Deputy Chairman Alexei Ulyukayev said.
"Imports dropped 20% in November not only due to the ruble's exchange rate but also due to changes in demand," Ulyukayev said in an interview with Ekho Moskvy radio station.
Russia's Central Bank has recently taken measures to broaden the band of the ruble's fluctuations against the dollar/euro basket to prevent a further plunge in its international reserves amid declining prices of raw material commodities that continue to be the country's main export items.
Ulyukayev said imports into Russia were expected to stay at the current level or even contract next year, which could lead to the country's positive current account balance in 2009.
