Banker opposes eased hard-currency rules

Proposed changes in the law on hard currency that would lower to 30% the required sale of hard-currency income are unacceptable. As reported by Rosbalt, that view was put forward by Viktor Gerashchenko, former chief of the Russian Central Bank, at a conference of the Rodina (Homeland) electoral bloc, of which Gerashchenko is a member. 'Our bankers are not yet ready, either intellectually, in terms of their interests, or by culture, for such a level of freedom. Therefore, lowering the required figure would not be in the people's interest,' Gerashchenko said.