‘The region’s foreign trade turnover reached the point of $7.5bn in January-October 2006, which is 23.3% better than in the ten months of 2005. The export figures came to approximately $6bn (a 23.3%-growth), the import ones came to $1.5bn (a 23.3%-growth),’ the Minister of Economy and Labour Galina Kovaleva announced at the press conference devoted to the region’s socio-economic development forecasts for 2007.

The consolidated budget profits amounted to 78.6bn RUR in January-October 2006, which exceeds the figures for 2005 by 42.4%. The budgetary subsidies and allotments plan was over-fulfilled by 1.5%. The consolidated budget expenses reached the point of 63.5bn RUR; the regional profits came to 60bn RUR, and it is expected to grow by 107% in 2007,’ Ms Kovaleva said.