Russia's Economic Development Ministry published its updated forecast on Thursday for the country's economic development in 2009.
"Amid a slump in gas demand on the domestic and external markets in January-March, gas production in 2009 could amount to 620-644 billion cubic meters and exports are estimated at 190-196 billion cubic meters," the forecast said.
According to Russia's State Statistics Service, natural gas output in Russia grew 1.6%, year-on-year, in 2008 to 663 billion cubic meters.
Russia's Federal Customs Service earlier reported that the country's gas exports to countries other than former Soviet republics had increased 2.6%, year-on-year, in 2008 to 158.4 billion cubic meters while exports to CIS countries (a loose association of former Soviet republics) had dropped 5.7% to 15.9 billion cubic meters.
Overall, Russia exported 174.3 billion cubic meters of gas worth $66.4 billion in 2008, the Federal Customs Service reported.
