Russian GDP growth this year could exceed the official forecast of 3.1% and reach 4%, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said on Tuesday. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said earlier in the day growth rates could exceed the government forecasts. On April 26, the Economic Development Ministry is to submit to the Finance Ministry a revised forecast for Russia's socio-economic development in 2010 through 2012.
Deputy Economic Development Minister Andrei Klepach previously said under favorable circumstances, Russia's GDP could grow 4-4.5% in 2010, primarily if the average oil price for Russia's Urals blend exceeds the forecast level of $65 per barrel.
