President Putin with State Customs Committee Chairman Mikhail Vanin.
Mr Vanin told Mr Putin that Russia’s foreign trade surplus could reach $75 billion at the end of the year. He also said that Russia’s trade with CIS countries was growing faster than with other countries.
In reply to the President’s question about Kaliningrad and the way it handled its customs problems, Mr Vanin told Mr Putin that Russia was switching to European methods of clearing cargo at customs.
While talking with him, Mr Putin asked Mr Vanin to congratulate all Russian customs employees on their upcoming holiday – the 350th anniversary of the Russian customs service.