Statistics Committee posts data on foreign investments

Foreign investments in the Russian economy amounted to $8.4bn in the firsthalf of 2002, gaining 25.2 percent as compared to the corresponding periodof 2001, the State Statistics Committee of Russia reported. Direct foreigninvestments were $1.87bn, which was 25.4 percent less than in the first sixmonths of 2001. Portfolio investments decreased by 16.7 percent to $199m.Other investments reached $6.2bn increasing by 60 percent as compared tothe corresponding figure of 2001. They include $809m in commercial credits(a 4.6-percent growth) and $5.3bn in other credits (a 72-percent growth).In the first half of 2002, foreign investment in Russian industries came to$3.25bn, in trade and restaurants - $3.6bn, communications - $277m,finance, credit, insurance and pension support - $41m, transport - $73m,construction - $34m, wholesale trade of production and technical equipment- $80m, and general business operations for market functioning support -$533m..