Putin: Russia’s GDP rises 4.6% in Jan–Sep, to rise by 4.2% in 2021

MOSCOW, Nov 30 (PRIME) -- Russia’s economy will expand by 4.2% this year with the gross domestic product increasing by 4.6% in January–September, President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday during the Russia Calling! business forum.

“Thanks to responsible and calculated actions of the state and businesses, the Russian economy has outperformed the pre-crisis level. In January–September this year, the gross domestic product increased by 4.6%, and we forecast growth of 4.2% this year,” he said.

Unemployment also contracted to 4.3% in September, which is the pre-pandemic level. Russia’s  labor market has recovered completely, he said.

However, recovery of the global economy is again under the threat of a new onset of the coronavirus pandemic caused by the omicron strain of COVID-19.

“Seriousness of consequences of the new strain will become clear in the next few weeks. But it is also clear that we should be ready for any mutations of the virus. We have to track efficacy of the tests and vaccines, we need to use clear algorithms to dwarf the spread of the infection,” Putin said.

He ordered the government to prepare an updated action plan in a week that would take into account the risks of the new coronavirus strain.

Taking into account the global character of the pandemic, countries will only be able to cope with it through joint and coordinated efforts, including mutual acceptance of vaccines and certifications of vaccinations, provisions of vaccines to all regions of the planet, and joint work on new medicines, Putin said.

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