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Russian economics minister forecasts 2006 GDP growth at 6.4-6.5%

MOSCOW, July 24 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's economics minister said Monday GDP growth was forecasted to be 6.4-6.5% by the end of 2006.

German Gref also said in June 2006 GDP had grown by 6% year-on-year and in the first half of 2006 - by 6.3% year-on-year.

The Russian State Statistics Service said Friday GDP in the first quarter of 2006 had grown by 5.5% year-on-year to 5.72 trillion rubles ($212 billion).

The service also said GDP fell 14.7% on the fourth quarter of 2005.

The GDP deflator index in the first quarter of 2006 on 1Q05 was 123.3%.