Aleksei Kudrin: Russia a leading shareholder in IMF and World Bank

Russia plays a fairly important role in the structures of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, according to Russian Finance Minister Aleksei Kudrin. As reported by Vesti, Kudrin said in Washington that 'Russia is one of the main shareholders in the World Bank and IMF, and Russia carries a fair amount of weight.' He said that Russia's current economic position has strengthened considerably, and its markets are attracting investors.

'Investors are flocking to the Russian market, whose indicators are growing faster than average,' Kudrin said. 'That is sufficient reason to be heard.' Asked whether Russia would be paying off its debt to the IMF before 2008, Kudrin said: 'We are currently studying the question.'