Common perception of the stabilization of economic situation without any signs of its improvement dominated prior to the presidential elections. Social optimism has significantly grown during the elections. Expectations of the positive development have slightly diminished during one month...

Q1 2018 saw relatively high growth rates in regions' revenues and expenditures. Regions with lowest revenues posted relatively slow growth rates in revenues for two straight years, thereby mounting their debt burden and reflecting further differentiation in the development of Russia's territories

Some positive results have been achieved since a tax reform was kicked off in the Russian oil sector late in 2014. The 2014 – 2017 period saw an increase in the average depth of oil refining in Russia. Despite ongoing disputes, now is a good time to complete the so-called “tax manoeuvre”...

Russian exports of services in 2017 grew by 14%. To achieve the export target set by the President's decree of May 7, 2018 to the tune of $100 billion over the next six years, annual growth of 9% will be required. Import of services in 2017 grew by 19% mainly due to 30% increase in traveling...

No plans to raise personal income tax rates (PIT), Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said recently. However, this subject was until recently extensively debated and is likely to be put on the table again in the future. A rise of PIT rate can negatively affect the poorest citizens. It is envisaged...

The number of housing allowance recipients in 2017 moved down against 2013. The percentage of individuals benefi ting from social protection (benefits) has also contracted. Bills for housing and utility services went up twice against income, average allowance for housing and utility services...

The Bank of Russia's Board of Directors decided in April to keep the key interest rate unchanged on the heels of new sanctions on Russia that affected seriously the Russian rouble. The exchange rate pass-through to prices can guide, sooner than it was expected, inflation closer to its 4% target...

After three-year contraction, fixed investments in 2017 moved up by 4.4%. At the same time, Rosstat revised downwards 2016 data – fixed investment contraction constituted merely 0.2% (previously 0.9%)

In 2017, Russia extended its market share in the European Union. EU imports from Russia went up from 119 to 145 bn euros, while Russia's share in the overall European imports rose to 7.8% ( 0.9 p.p.). Such growth was due to rising prices on principal products of Russian export – fuel raw...

The Russian Federation continued to strengthen its international donor position in 2017. Russia spends more than $1bn annually on international development assistance programs and projects. Building a good-neighbourliness belt around the country as part of its economic support of CIS nations...