Data on industrial growth released

In January-July 2002, the growth of industrial production was registered inall federal districts of Russia but the Far East District, and in 57regions and republics of Russia. The industrial production gained over 20percent in the Khabarovsk region (24.6 percent), in the Leningrad region(36.1 percent) and in St. Petersburg (25.9 percent). High growth rate wasregistered in the Kaliningrad region (17 percent), the Tomsk and Lipetskregions and the Jewish Autonomous Area. The Economy Ministry posted thisinformation in a survey of the social and economic development of Russia inJanuary-July 2002 and estimates till the end of 2002.A decline in industrial production was registered in 30 regions in thefirst seven months of 2002 as compared to the corresponding period of 2001.The most considerable 15-percent decrease took place in the Kamchatkaregion due to a reduction of production in the fuel, food and electricalenergy industries. Production decline in the Chita region amounted to 12.9percent and was attributed to a production decrease in the electricalenergy and coal industries. The production decrease in the engineering andmetal processing industries brought about a 9.8-percent production declinein the Kurgan region. The electrical energy, coal, ferrous metal,engineering and metal processing industries underwent a production decreasein the Amur region triggering a 3.4-percent production decline.According to the estimates of the Economy Ministry and regional economicauthorities, which introduced corresponding materials, a growth of theindustrial production will be preserved in all federal districts and themajority of Russian regions and republics till the end of the year..