The buildings of Moscow City, the Moscow International Business Center (MIBC). © Vladimir Sergeev © Sputnik
France 24: Russian economy outpaced expectations in 2018
Russia's economy expanded 2.3 percent last year, growing more quickly than the government and the IMF had predicted, according to state statistics published Monday.
Russia's growth rate accelerated from 1.6 percent in 2017 and exceeded the economy ministry's prediction of 1.8 percent as well as the International Monetary Fund's forecast of 1.7 percent.
The country's economy only returned to growth in 2017 after two years of recession in 2015 and 2016.
Russia's Rosstat statistics agency said that GDP last year was 103.6 trillion rubles ($1.578 trillion, 1.38 trillion euros), with growth in sectors such as hotels and restaurants boosted by hosting the World Cup.
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WNU Editor: I am not surprised by this report. In fact I believe the Russian economy is growing more than the 2.3 per cent being that is reported. There is now a huge boom in small business growth in Russia, and they are not (IMHO) being properly represented by both the Russian government and by the IMF.
