Duma budget committee chief qualifies economic outcomes of 2002 as positive

The economic outcomes of the year 2002 can be qualified as positive and corresponding to the forecasts, which were made by the authors of the 2002 budget. Aleksandr Zhukov, in charge of the budget committee of the State Duma, or the lower parliamentary house, opined as addressing a news conference on Monday.

The country's economic growth can make up 4 percent, inflation is likely to surpass the forecast rate of 12-14 percent and reach 15 percent, according to Mr Zhukov.

Federal revenues will amount to 2 trillion 200 billion roubles, or close on $70 billion, against the envisaged 2 trillion 125 billion roubles, said Mr Zhukov. The surplus, he said, will make 2.5 percent of the GDP.