Can 2004 inflation be kept within 10-percent corridor?

The cabinet decision on a ceiling for tariffs set by natural monopolies will help to keep the rate of inflation within 10 percent in 2004, German Gref, Russian Minister for Economic Development and Trade, has said.

The decision adopted by the cabinet on Thursday is not final. Things will become absolutely clear on July 20, when the cabinet considers an updated version of the tariff ceiling, said Gref. In any case, the 10-percent level of inflation planned for the next year is not to be exceeded, he insists.

On Thursday the Russian government has taken a preliminary decision curbing the growth of gas tariffs to 20 percent, electricity tariffs to 16 percent and railage tariffs to 12 percent next year.