20 Apr 2010 13:47

Recession in Russia has ended

MOSCOW. April 20 (Interfax) - Russia's economic recession has ended, and the economy is showing signs of recovery, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at the State Duma on Tuesday.

"According to the official forecast, the country's GDP should grow 3.1% in 2010. But there is a great likelihood that the growth rate will be above that figure," Putin said during Government Hour.

"The preliminary results of the first quarter of 2010 promote optimism. Industrial output grew 5.8% in the first quarter and real citizen income increased 7.4%," he said.

"All this allows us to say that the recession in our economy has ended. It doesn't mean the crisis is over, but the recession has ended," Putin said.