Russia intends to sell Eurobonds at a ceiling $2.5 billion next year, with total loans at 3.65 billion.
The next Cabinet session will analyse a specified list of government-financed companies and offices, the minister went on.
Russia is weighing the pros and cons of shifting, as it intends for next year, to value-added taxation in importer countries. The arrangement will concern Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Moldova. The reform may rob Russia of approximately 39.9 billion roubles, roughly $1.5 billion, in tentative 2005 prices. The matter is to be settled no later than early August to take proper stock of it in drafting next year's federal budget.
The Parties are debating the idea, and it is not clear to this day just how many countries will accept the VAT shift. It will certainly demand the value-added taxation law amended, as well as next year's blueprinted federal revenues and expenditures, said Mr. Kudrin.
