Russia's 2010 inflation to reach 7.5 pct, higher than forecast 6.7 pct

Russian consumer price inflation will rise to 7.5 percent this year, higher than the previously expected 6-7 percent, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said on Monday.

MOSCOW, August 30 (RIA Novosti) - Russian consumer price inflation will rise to 7.5 percent this year, higher than the previously expected 6-7 percent, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said on Monday.

The Economic Development Ministry adjusted the official forecast for 2010-2013 last week following the country's worst ever heatwave and drought.

"I think this year's inflation will be around seven percent or even slightly higher, even up to 7.5 percent, and next year it will also range between six and seven percent," Kudrin said.

The Economic Development Ministry still expects gross domestic product growth at about four percent this year, Kudrin said.