Russian Vice-Premier Warns 2002 World Economic Development Forecasts May Affect Russia

Vice-Premier and Finance Minister Aleksei Kudrin has warned Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov about a negative outlook for the world economic development saying it may affect the Russian economy. The International Monetary Fund has resolved at its discussions in Canada to correct 2002 economic development forecasts making them lower, something, the finance minister believes, that will tell upon Russia's economy. Apart from that, the IMF's Canada conference dwelled on ways of depriving terrorism of financial support. Kasyanov instructed the cabinet of ministers to discuss programmes of investment in the railroad transport, power engineering and nuclear power engineering, and the gas sector. Dominating the agenda of a cabinet meeting, which is due to take place in early December, will be tariff policies.