Alexei Kudrin said the imbalance would be compensated for using surplus funds accumulated up to 2007.
"In 2007 the budget imbalance will be, according to forecasts, 200 billion rubles, but this can be overcome," the minister said at a government session on budget plans for 2007.
Surplus funds at the end of 2006 totaled 150 bln rubles ($5.5 bln). A further 150 bln rubles will be borrowed domestically to meet the 2007 budget deficit, he said, adding that the ministry would submit proposals to the government by August 1.
Kudrin said existing draft budgets for the coming two years also included imbalances - the deficit in 2008 is forecast at 107.4 bln rubles ($3.98 bln), and 90.5 bln rubles ($3.35 bln) in 2009, excluding resources invested in the Stabilization Fund, set up to accrue windfall oil revenue.
