MOSCOW, July 27 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's gross domestic product grew 6.5% in the first half of 2006 and 6.9% in June, the Economic Development and Trade Ministry said Thursday.
The ministry said consumer prices had risen 6.2% in January-June, while industrial production gained 4.4% during the period, and 2.9% in June.
According to the ministry, GDP grew 7.1% in the second quarter of 2006, against 5.5% in the first quarter.
The industrial production index in the second quarter was 106%.
The ministry said inflation had been 9% in June 2006 on June 2005, reaching the upper limit of the target level for 2006 (8-9%). It added that a high budget surplus had ensured sterilization of the most of the monetary supply, but the budget surplus did not guarantee no inflation.
