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The buoyant Russian economy

The Russian economy has largely improved since 1999. The Russian economic growth has been positive and high for the 6th consecutive year since the financial crisis that occurred in 1998.

Russia has also improved its international trade exchange situation. The Russian trade balance is structurally positive, thanks to the natural resources that the country owns and exports (oil, natural gas or metal for example).

However, there are still some economic issues that have to be faced. Russia heavily depends on the natural resources exports. Russia's manufacturing base is dilapidated and must be replaced or modernized if the country is to achieve broad-based economic growth.

(USD billions)
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005 (f)
Economic growth (%)
10,0
5,1
4,7
7,3
7,1
6,0
Inflation (%)
20,2
19,0
15,0
12,0
11,7
11,9
Public sector balance (%GDP)
1,0
3,0
1,0
2,0
4,0
3,0
Exports
91,2
86,5
90,9
114,6
152,4
171,4
Imports
31,4
40,7
49,0
60,0
76,0
96,0
Trade balance
59,8
45,8
42,1
54,3
76,2
75,5
Current account balance
44,2
30,0
27,5
29,0
46,2
40,8
Current account balance (%GDP)
17,0
9,8
8,0
6,7
7,9
5,7
Foreign debt (%GDP)
53,3
42,3
41,6
41,5
35,5
30,9
Debt service (%Exports)
21,5
19,9
19,4
15,8
14,7
21,7
Foreign exchange reserves (in months of imports)
5,1
5,7
6,8
8,6
11,5
11,3
(e) estimated (f) forecast
Source: Cofacerating

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