13 Jan 2010 16:01

Ruble weakens 3.8% against major currencies in 2009

MOSCOW. Jan 13 (Interfax) - The ruble fell 3.8% in real terms against the currencies of Russia's major trading partners in 2009, the Central Bank said on its website.

It weakened 0.6% against the U.S. dollar and 6.3% against the euro.

The ruble weakened an estimated 1.6% against the major currencies in December, including by 2.9% against the dollar and 0.9% against the euro.

The ruble fell 5.6% against the currencies on average in January-December compared with the same period of last year, including 12.2% against the dollar and 8.3% against the euro.

The Russian Economic Development Ministry says in its latest forecast that the ruble could weaken 4.1% against the major currencies this year as a whole, after strengthening 4.3% in 2008.