Gov't may discuss gas and electricity prices in December

Rates for services of natural monopolies will not exceed the level set by the government for 2003, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Arkady Dvorkovich said in an interview with RosBusinessConsulting. According to him, the question of maximum growth in rates for services of natural monopolies is still being considered. The Ministry of Economic Development believes that gas rates should be set in respect to the concept of development of the domestic gas market. That is why "we propose to discuss the concept of development of the gas market in December and rates for services of natural monopolies a week later", he specified.

As it was reported earlier, the Ministry of Economic Development planned to submit its proposals concerning the rates to the government before November 28, 2002. Deputy Minister of Economic Development Andrey Sharonov earlier told RBC that the Ministry would take into account all expenses of natural monopolies. At the same time he refused to specify concrete proposals, however he noted that Gazprom demanded a 40-percent increase in gas rates. In the summer the government set the maximum level for increases in rates for services of natural monopolies at 20 percent for gas, 14 percent for electrical energy and 12 percent for railroad transportation.