OREANDA-NEWS. December 2, 2008. Mr Medvedev instructed the Government to take all measures necessary to ensure that money already allocated by the state for supporting the real sector of the economy reaches industrial consumers. The time factor is of crucial importance in this situation, the President said. Difficulties in obtaining funds are linked to the high demands banks put on borrowers, and are also related to declining capitalisation of companies in need of financial support.

Mr Medvedev also instructed the Government to ensure that employees, whether in state-owned enterprises or in the private sector, are paid their wages.

Mr Shuvalov informed the President inflation is at the level of 12.3 percent (lower than the forecasts made during the summer), and economic growth will come to around 7 percent.