The Minister informed the President about the development of the Russian oil industry. In the first seven months of this year, Russian oil companies have significantly increased volumes of oil mining, which is connected with the favourable situation on foreign markets. According to forecasts, the total level of mining in the Russian oil industry for 2004 will be 450 million tons, of which 260 tons will be exported.
Mr. Khristenko also told the President about the problems of housing construction: there is a drop in growth rates in this sphere.
The Minister also told Mr. Putin about plans to increase multilateral cooperation in the framework of the Common Economic Space (CES). Currently, the governments of CES member countries are developing various trade agreements. By mid-2005, it is planned to sign the first set of 30 documents.