18 Sep 2009 12:43

Russia

SOCHI. Sept 18 (Interfax) - The Russian economy sees more reasons for optimism, said Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

"Today politicians and businessmen have a feeling that the economic horizon is again starting to clear up. Despite the remaining uncertainty, there are more and more reasons to be cautiously optimistic," Putin said at the international investment forum in Sochi.

The decline of the leading world economies has slowed down recently, the euro zone is seeing economic growth, the prime mininster recalled.

"This concerns the situation in Russia. After the eight months of recession the growth of industrial production and GDP has resumed. Starting from June 2009, the national economy is gaining on average 0.5% per month," the prime minister said.