Soaring imports: boon or bane?
Published 09 April, 2008, 19:27
Russian imports from non-CIS countries soared more than 50% in the first quarter of 2008, compared with the same period a year ago. Russia brought in $ US 47 billion of goods year-on-year, according to the Federal Customs Service. Some experts believe it’s not a good sign.
Machinery and clothes jumped around 60%, chemical products 34% and food more than 12%.
Analysts attribute the rise to growing consumer affluence and the country's booming investment climate.
Vladimir Bragin, a macroeconomist from Trust Bank is not optimistic about the news.
“For economy in general, it’s not a good sign because when consumption goes not supported by internal production it is a clear sign of overheating of economy. If things develop this way, I think in two or three years we’ll have 0% net exports just because of growing imports,” he says.
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