Statistical data on the performance of Russian transport were announced at the Ministry of Transport panel meeting, which summed up the results of the year 2001.

Last year was the third consecutive year of economic growth in Russia. GDP increased 5.5 percent, volume of industrial production grew 4.9 percent, agriculture produce was 6.8 percent up, investments in industrial assets rose 8.7 percent, retail-trade turnover climbed 10.8 percent and foreign-trade turnover grew 5.4 percent.

The major industries contributing to cargo-transport turnover showed growth in production as follows: Engineering and metal cutting (7.2 percent), construction-materials production (5.5. percent), cement production (8.4 percent), food industry (8.4 percent) and light industry (5.0 percent).

Of export-oriented industries, the biggest growth occurred in oil production (7.7 percent), chemicals and petrochemicals (6.5 percent) and non-ferrous metals (4.5 percent), while oil refining and timber showed minor climbs of 2.7 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively. The steel industry and gas production remained at the previous year's levels. The worsening of the world market situation caused exports to decline (in dollar terms) by 0.5 percent, while imports grew 19.5 percent.

As of early 2001, Russia's transport arteries included railroads (86,100 kilometers), highways (910,000 kilometers), internal water routes (85,000 kilometers) and air routes (600,000 kilometers).

It is necessary to note that, during the period covered by this report, industrial prices rose 10.7 percent, construction prices grew 14.4 percent and agricultural-produce prices increased 17.5 percent.