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Real ruble exchange may slightly strengthen in 2019 due to current oil prices — experts

Experts point out that such a trend will help maintain a significant positive current account

MOSCOW, February 11. / TASS /. The real ruble exchange rate in 2019 may slightly strengthen due to to the current level of oil prices, Gaidar Economic Policy Institute and the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration said in their monitoring of the socio-economic situation in Russia on Monday.

"According to the expert forecast, in 2019 if the current world oil prices and the nominal ruble exchange rate, a slight strengthening of the real exchange rate of the national currency and stabilization (in value) of the level of exports and imports," the document says. Experts point out that such a trend will help maintain a significant positive current account.

"However, the risks of tightening sanctions, especially those aimed against the state debt of the Russian Federation, can stimulate capital outflows and sharp fluctuations in the exchange rate in 2019," the study warns. Since the beginning of the 2019, the cost of a futures contract for Brent crude for delivery in April 2019 is about $ 60.