Russia's economic situation better than expected in spring, but consumer activity far from Jan-Feb levels - minister

YAROSLAVL. July 29 (Interfax) - The situation in the Russian economy is better than was expected in March-April, as the agricultural sector continued to grow in June, and the figures for mining and some areas of manufacturing targeting the domestic market have improved, Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said at a meeting of the Investment Council of the Central Federal District on Friday.

However, decline has accelerated in sectors oriented toward export and sectors dependent on imports, such as auto manufacturing, consumer goods manufacturing, and the furniture industry, Reshetnikov said.

"Consumer activity has also passed through a definite period of recovery, but in real terms, of course, it's still far from the January and February figures," he said.