MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Medvedev said that according to his assessments, inflation in Russia has practically stopped growing.
“I believe that this forecast, this scenario is completely realistic and we of course can decrease inflation twofold to practically 6.4 percent as suggested,” Medvedev said during an interview with Russian television news stations.
“You know, over the last several months, inflation has practically stopped, first of all. Secondly, we are capable of moving onto the trajectory, perhaps not totally assuredly, but nonetheless toward a definite growth in the economy,” Medvedev added.
“I don’t deny that assessments vary. The Central Bank has their predictions and they’re less optimistic than what the Economic Development Ministry gives. But even the most pessimistic assessments reflect around zero [percent growth], and in regard to the optimistic assessments of economic growth, then somewhere under 1 percent,” Medvedev said during an interview with Russian television news stations.
Russian Prime Minister also added that he is against reintroducing a progressive income tax scale and the current flat 13 percent tax should remain in place.
"I believe that the 13-percent tax that we introduced in 2000 is what we were able to completely fulfill. I mean that we as a government that has existed since 2000…After imposing the 13-percent level, everyone pays because it's better to pay than not. Why would we butcher the chicken that brings us golden eggs?" Medvedev said during an interview with Russian television news stations.
