Mr Putin spoke about principal measures taken by the Russian leadership to improve the economy and establish a beneficial business climate. He cited basic economic indices to say that industrial output had grown by 4% in the first three quarters of 2002, according to preliminary estimates.
The transition to market conditions in Russian-Indian trade was accompanied by objective difficulties, which decreased the bilateral trade turnover. However, the President said, qualitative improvements in both national economies were providing extra incentives for closer business partnership and major signs of improvement were already discernible.
See also
Speech at a Meeting with Representatives of Indian Business Circles
December 4, 2002
Visit to India
December 3 − 4, 2002