MOSCOW, August 16 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's gross domestic product will grow 6% in 2007, 5.8% in 2008 and 5.9% in 2009, the Economic Development and Trade Ministry said Wednesday.
In a statement released in advance of Thursday's ministerial meeting which will consider a forecast for Russia's social and economic development until 2009, the ministry also predicted inflation at 6.5%-8% in 2007, at 4.5-6% in 2008 and at 4-5.5% in 2009.
Industrial production will grow 4.2% in 2007, 4.5% in 2008 and 4.7% in 2009, while agricultural production will increase 3.2%, 3.3% and 3.4% respectively.
Real household disposable incomes will rise 10.2%, 8.9% and 8.2% over the next three years, while real wages will gain 11%, 8.6% and 7.4% respectively, the ministry said.
The forecast was based on an average annual price for Urals crude of $61 in 2007, $54 in 2008 and $48 in 2009. The ministry said this moderately optimistic forecast for social and economic development would be taken as a basis for the 2007 budget, and a 2007-2009 financial plan.
