Economy Ministry to increase GDP to 7-8% - 14 March, 2003

In a month, the Russian Economy Ministry is to develop a program of activities for 2003-2004 for reaching a 7-8-percent growth of the GDP by 2007-2008, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov stated at today's final meeting of the board of the Economy Ministry. He pointed out that the achievement of such growth was a major task of the Russian economic policy.

Kasyanov once again pointed to the fact that without diversifying the national economy, it would be impossible to achieve this rate of economic growth. "Russia has remained a mono-cultural country. The industries, which are not connected with hydrocarbons, are still uncompetitive," the Prime Minister stressed. Kasyanov pointed out that due to this, the Economy Ministry should pay particular attention to this issue in the program for economic and social development of the country in 2003-2004.