Russia's GDP growth reached 8.1% in 2007 - statistics service

KRASNODAR, January 31 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's GDP growth reached 8.1.% in 2007, First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday citing the national statistics service.

"The Russian Statistics Service has calculated GDP growth results for 2007, and according to their data, which differs from economics ministry reports, the figure was 8.1%," Medvedev said.

The Economic Development and Trade Ministry earlier assessed the country's 2007 GDP growth at 7.7%-7.8%.

In the past five years, the Russian economy has grown at an annual rate of above 7%, except for 2005, when GDP expanded 6.4%. In 2006, GDP grew 7.4%.