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Russian external debt up 11.2%, to $287.4 bln in 1H2006

MOSCOW, October 2 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's foreign debt increased 11.2%, to $287.4 billion in January-June, the Central Bank said Monday.

Overall government debt declined from $71.3 billion to $66.7 billion, and the debt of monetary authorities grew from $11 billion to $12.4 billion.

The debt of Russian banks, excluding equity capital, hit $67 billion, rising from $50.2 billion as of January 1. Non-financial corporations' debt rose to $141.3 billion, from $126 billion, excluding equity capital.