MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that the government has worked with "optimal effect" this year despite difficulties, noting that he expects economic growth next year.
"I will note that, despite all the difficulties, the government has worked — as I see it — with optimal effect," Putin said at the year's final government session.
He underscored the positive trend in this year's GDP decline as compared with 2015 and forecast the lowest inflation in the past quarter century at 5.8-percent this year.
"There is every reason to say that next year we will reach a growth path. It is important that this growth is progressive and increasing from year to year," Putin stressed.
