10 Aug 2009 15:53

Regional budgets had consolidated surplus in H1

KISLOVODSK. Aug 10 (Interfax) - Russia's regions had a consolidated budget surplus of 99.6 billion rubles in the first half of 2009, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at a meeting of the government's commission for regional affairs in Kislovodsk.

Putin said tax and other revenue for regional budgets fell a little, but that a consolidated surplus was preserved and totaled 99.6 billion rubles.

Putin said more than 1 trillion rubles in support for the regions would be allocated in 2010.

"We'll need to keep consolidated regional budgets balanced. More than 1 trillion rubles will be set aside in support for the regions next year. That's a fairly impressive amount which, in our view, will cover the regions' priority needs," Putin said.