26 May 2011 10:38

Imports into Russia grow 40% in Jan-Apr - CB chairman

MOSCOW. May 26 (Interfax) - Russia's imports grew 40% year-on-year in the first four months of 2011, Central Bank of Russia Chairman Sergei Ignatyev said at a banking conference in St. Petersburg.

"Maybe currency market players are concerned about the rapid rise in imports. In the first four months, the importation of goods increased 40% compared with the same period of last year. That could also prompt a lower current accounts payment surplus and a drop of the ruble exchange rate," Ignatyev said.