Russian PM Mikhail Kasyanov Meets British Deputy PM John Prescott

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov met, in Russia's government house, British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in charge of economic and trade issues in the British government on Monday. Under discussion were issues pertaining to bilateral trade and economic relations. In 2000, Russia-Britain turnover amounted to 5.4 billion dollars, a 40-percent increase against 1999. At the present time, Russia is having a trade surplus with the UK. In 2000, Russia's exports stood at 4.9 billion dollars whereas British imports to Russia amounted to a mere of 500 million dollars. It was emphasized at the meeting that a positive trend in bilateral trade development is currently persisting. In 2001, the countries are expected to raise bilateral trade turnover up to 5.5 billion dollars.