Kristalina Georgieva, the WB Russia director, said this in Moscow on Monday as opening a WB Institute course on Russia and the CIS countries' accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Georgieva said the technical analysis conducted by WB experts showed that preserving the current gas prices in Russia's domestic market was a "technical necessity."
WB experts concluded that preserving the current two-level pricing policy, i.e. when export prices differ considerably from domestic gas prices, makes sense, according to Georgieva.
Experts took into account various factors, including the possible effect of Russia's accession to the WTO on the vulnerable sections of society.
Speaking about the effects of Russia's WTO membership, Georgieva predicted a rise in exports and imports due to the removal of part of trade barriers.
Vladimir Tkachenko, a deputy director of the Russian Economic Development Ministry's department on trade talks, said "talks have passed the equator."
90% of tariff position have been agreed on as of today, according to Tkachenko. In addition, Russia has finished agreeing positions with the countries that account for 80% of world trade.
Tkachenko emphasized the WTO membership would improve Russia's investment climate.
