Gov't to discuss 2003 budget this week

The Russian government will consider a budget draft for 2003 at its meetingon August 15, 2002, the department of government information told RBCtoday. Moreover, ministers are expected to discuss a perspective financialplan throughout 2005 and a number of budget drafts of the state non-budgetfunds. Additionally it is planned to consider a project of the federalinvestment program for the year 2003.As it was reported earlier, the Finance Ministry submitted the budget draftfor 2003 to the Russian government on August 8, 2002. According to DeputyPrime Minister, Finance Minister Alexey Kudrin, the bill on the 2003 budgetis to be submitted to the State Duma by August 26. .