ST. PETERSBURG, November 13 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will export about $2 billion in software products and IT services in 2006, the Russian communications minister said Monday.

"This year, Russia will export just under $2 billion worth of software products and services," Leonid Reiman said at a meeting with students of St. Petersburg State University.

He said IT exports in 2005 were worth $1 billion, adding that by 2010 they should reach $12-14 billion, growing at an annual rate of 80-90%.

Reiman said that while Russia is successfully competing with India and China, a major impediment to development is a shortage of IT specialists.

He said 32,500 IT and telecommunications specialists graduated in 2005, whereas the country needs at least 70,000 a year.