Number of unprofitable companies grows in Russia

The share of unprofitable companies increased from 38.6 percent in thefirst half of 2001 to 46.7 percent in the first half of 2002, the StateStatistics Committee of Russia reported. The largest share of profitablecompanies was registered in the communications industry (63.3 percent),trade and restaurants (64.7 percent), construction (54.1 percent) andproduction industries (53.5 percent). Unprofitable companies have the mostconsiderable share in housing and communal services (65.3 percent),transportation (54.5 percent) and agriculture (50.7 percent)..