ALMA ATA, FEBRUARY 27, RIA NOVOSTI'S ANDREY MALOSOLOV - Making a statement at the session of the Euro-Asian Economic Cooperation inter-state council in Alma Ata, acting Prime-Minister Viktor Khristenko cited Friday the following figures concerning investment growth in the Russian economy in 2003 and 2002: 12.5 percent compared to 2.6 percent.
He singled out such basic factors which determined the growth of investment as general economic stability, the better financial state of enterprises as well as high world prices for fuels which led to higher investment activity in the fuel-and-energy tandem. The lower profitability on rouble financial instruments encouraged private investors to bring more money to the real sector of the economy, said Khristenko.
According to Khristenko, the inflation in Russia decreased to 12 percent in 2003 as against 15.1 percent in 2002. The inflation rate was diminishing in the context of the mounting solvent demand of the population, said the acting prime minister.
