Economy Ministry To Propose Rise In Tariffs To Government On January 5

The Russian Ministry for Economic Development and Trade is going to introduce its suggestions on a rise in tariffs of natural monopolies to the government on January 5, 2002. This information was announced by deputy economy minister Andrey Sharonov at a meeting with journalists today. He noted that a rise in domestic tariffs for gas would most likely reach 35 per cent in Russian next year. A decision on an increase in tariffs for electricity and railroad services has not been made yet. In addition, the official stated that the Ministry for Economic Development and Trade would be working on methods to reduce operational costs in the energy and railroad industries.