Russia's government foreign debt down 13% to $32.5 bln in 9M08

MOSCOW, January 11 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's government foreign debt stood at $32.5 billion as of October 1, down 13% against $37.4 billion on January 1, 2008, the Central Bank of Russia said on Sunday.

The foreign liabilities of Russia's monetary authorities increased from $9 billion to $10.2 billion in January-September 2008, the Central Bank said.

At the same time, Russia's foreign debt calculated in accordance with international methodology grew 16.6% in the reporting period to $540.5 billion, largely due to borrowings by the private sector, the Central Bank said.

Banks (without stakes in equity and debt obligations to direct investors) increased their foreign liabilities to $196.7 billion from $162.5 billion in the reporting period, the Central Bank said.

Non-financial companies (without stakes in equity and debt obligations to direct investors) increased their foreign debt to $268.7 billion from $227.8 billion in January-September 2008, the Central Bank said.

Debt obligations of banks and non-financial companies to direct investors increased to $32.3 billion from $26.9 billion in the reporting period, the Central Bank said.