13 Nov 2009 11:07

Econ Ministry revising 2010 GDP forecast; does not rule out 3% growth - Klepach

YEKATERINBURG. Nov 13 (Interfax) - The Economic Development Ministry will revise the GDP forecast for 2010, Deputy Economic Development Minister Andrei Klepach told Interfax.

The current forecast is for growth to total 1.6% in 2010, although the ministry said previously growth next year might exceed 2%.

However, there is now room for a more optimistic forecast. "We said previously, and we had a scenario, that if oil prices are high, as they are now, GDP growth in 2010 could amount to 3% or even higher," he said.

"We are now going to make a revision taking into account all the risks and then it will be clear what kind of number there will be for next year," he said.