Putin says Russia leaves behind crisis rock bottom in 2015

SOCHI, May 20 (PRIME) -- The Russian economy left the bottom of the crisis behind in 2015, President Vladimir Putin said Friday at a Russia–ASEAN forum on Friday.

“(There was a) low unemployment level – less than 6% – a moderate amount of the foreign debt, one of the lowest, and a trade surplus of U.S. $160 billion in 2015. The central bank’s actions to introduce a flexible ruble rate have allowed the economy to adapt and keep a high level of foreign currency and gold reserves, it was $391.5 billion as of May 1. As a result, and experts recognize this, the lowest point of the crisis can be deemed past in 2015,” Putin said.

The president also said that the government’s measures to tackle the crisis cushioned the key sectors of the economy and ensured the financial sector stability.

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