OREANDA-NEWS. April 25, 2011. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has asked the Bank of Russia, the Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Economic Development to have consultations with the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs on ways of maintaining a rational exchange rate of the national currency, the ruble.

As the head of the Renova group, Viktor Vekselberg, has told the media, at Thursday’s meeting of the RUIE board with the prime minister “the sensitive issue of the rate of the ruble” was discussed.

"Against the backdrop of high oil prices today the exchange rate will inevitably affect all export sectors of the economy and, with some delay, the processing sectors," said Vekselberg.

He believes it is necessary to "weigh all the resources and opportunities related with a reasonable level of influence on the rational exchange rate, which is necessary for the economy."

The businessman stressed that all parties concerned should "find the most acceptable solution."

The head of RUIE, Alexander Shokhin, said that such consultations would be held "in a free mode at the Finance Ministry and Bank of Russia.”