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RUSSIA'S ECONOMY

Russian government approves draft budget for 2019

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev noted that in 2019 Russia will have a surplus budget for the first time since 2014

MOSCOW, September 20. /TASS/. The Russian government has approved the draft federal budget for 2019 and the planning period 2020-2021 at a meeting on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko told reporters.

"Yes, they approved it," he said answering the relevant question.

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Russian cabinet to consider 2019-2021 draft budget

Earlier at the government meeting, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev noted that in 2019 Russia will have a surplus budget for the first time since 2014.

He added that the amount of the public external debt will remain at a relatively low level, budget revenues are expected to reach almost 20 trillion rubles ($301 bln), spending will be slightly over 18 trillion rubles ($270 bln).

According to Medvedev in 2019, the government will manage to fully restore the system of protecting the budget from external shocks. This system earlier helped the national economy to cope with the first global crisis of 2008-2009 and in 2014, when the second wave of the crisis began and Russia faced Western sanctions.

Medvedev noted that the draft budget comprises the program for the implementation of national projects and a comprehensive plan for the modernization and expansion of the mainline infrastructure for 2019-2024. At the same time, the largest amount of funds is provided for the support of demography, health and education, the head of government said.

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Russia’s UN envoy, Serbian leader discuss coordination on Kosovo at UN

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De Beers cuts diamond mining due to unsold inventories

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Baku cannot turn blind eye to France, India, Greece arming Armenia — President Aliyev

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Detained deputy defense minister suspected of taking grand bribe of over $10,000

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France preparing contingent of 2,000 troops to be sent to Ukraine — intelligence chief

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Current Russian turn eastward possible owing to Baikal-Amur railway — Putin

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Russia ready to cooperate with all interested partners to ensure security — Putin

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US Abrams tanks, Bradley APCs unloaded in Greece — report

The website underscores the great importance of the port of Alexandroupolis for the US and NATO

Calls for joint use of nuclear weapons with US dangerous — ICAN

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Russia invites all countries to develop North - South transport corridor — Putin

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West balancing on edge of direct military confrontation between nuclear powers — Lavrov

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Armenia’s decision on CSTO membership its sovereign choice — secretary general

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Mobilization law condition for new supplies of arms to Kiev by NATO — source

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Russia has significant amount of West’s funds in case of confiscation of its assets

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