Russia's GDP decrease in 2009 to exceed predicted 8.5% -- Kudrin

21:0802/12/2009

Russian federal budget for 2010
Russia's GDP decrease in 2009 will exceed the forecasted earlier figure of 8.5%, the Russian finance minister said on Wednesday.

The Russian Economics Ministry earlier predicted the national economy to shrink 8.5% in 2009, but to grow 3% in 2011 and 4.3% in 2012.

"It will definitely exceed 8.5%," Alexei Kudrin said, but did not say whether the decrease will be less than 9%.

President Dmitry Medvedev approved earlier on Wednesday the federal budget for 2010 and basic budget parameters through 2012.

The 2010 budget will run a deficit of 6.8% of GDP, or 2.9 trillion rubles ($100 billion). It should fall to 4% of GDP in 2011 and 3% in 2012.

MOSCOW, December 2 (RIA Novosti)