Russian Delegation Arrived At The International Monetary Fund Session Not Empty-handed, Said Vice-Premier

The Russian delegation arrived at the session of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank not empty-handed, vice-premier and finance minister of Russia Alexei Kudrin who heads the delegation said when he arrived in Washington. According to him, "the main thing has been done -- the road for discussion has been opened since Russia fulfils all its obligations on debts". Second, he stressed, "April has become favourable for Russia as far as reforms are concerned, the reforms which the world public awaits from it. In particular, he recalled that the package of measures for reforming the banking sector has been supported in the State Duma (parliament) and no one will say now that the reforms in the banking sector are being conducted slowly in Russia. Apart from this, the Land Code has been submitted for consideration by the State Duma. This, the vice-premier pointed out, creates prospects for the development of real estate market and the base for construction and investments. Kudrin also pointed out that a draft law on combatting the laundering and legalisation of illegal incomes has also been submitted to the State Duma. This law takes into account international principles which, according to him, will allow Russia to enter "the world field" within which the international struggle against crime is being conducted. The Russian side is also going to clarify its stance on the further work with international financial organisations on the basis of the joint economic policy statement made last week by the government and the Central Bank, Kurdin said. "We are ready to implement all reforms which are symbolic or sensible for investors and creditors", Kudrin stressed.