The number of the unemployed in the Russian Federation was 5 mln people at the end of February. It is higher than in January (4,3 mln) as reported Rosstat (the Federal State Statistics Service).

Russian international reserves attained the new record value. As of January, 25 their volume totaled $479,4 bln, reported the department of external and public relations of Bank of Russia on Thursday.

In 2007 the volume of illegal import totaled 16,1 % from official one, if compared to the statistics of the Federal Customs Service with the Central Bank data. This is the record level in the newest history of Russia. In 1996 unrecorded import reached 44,7 % from official one, in 2005 - 29 %, and in 2006 - 20,7 %.

The foreign trade turnover in 2007, as estimated by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, totaled $579,3 bln, and increased by 23,6% (in 2006 - by 26,9%). The foreign trade turnover with the far abroad countries totaled $493,9 bln (growth by 25,3%), with the CIS countries - $85,4 bln (growth by 25,7%). In the total volume of commodity turnover to the export stake falls 61,1%, import - 38,9 %.

In the commodity structure of Russian export to the far abroad countries the ratio of fuel and energy commodities in January-September 2007 totaled 67% from all volume of export to these countries against 70,5% in January-September 2006, reports press-service of Federal Customs Service (FCS) of Russian Federation (RF). Physical volumes of oil deliveries for 9 months of 2007 increased by 3,7%, cost volumes - by 5,9%, middle contract prices - by 2,1%. Physical volumes of natural gas export in January-September were reduced by 13,1% as compared to the same period of the last year, however middle contract prices increased by 5,1%. Physical volume of oil products export in January-September of 2007 increased by 4,7% as compared to January-September of 2006, including fuel oil – by 11,5%. Physical volumes of hard coal (anthracite coal) deliveries increased by 6,8%, coke – by 68,1%.

The consolidated budget of Russia for January-June, 2007 is executed with surplus of 1 trillion 464,5 billion rubles ($58,58 billion) whereas in January-June, 2006 it made 1 trillion 402,7 billion rubles ($56,108 billion). This information was spread by the Federal service of the state statistics of the Russian Federation (Rosstat)

The federal agency of tourism presented the results of statistical data analysis of tourism for for the period January - June, 2007. The results of analysis showed that the preferences of the Russians going abroad are broadening. And if earlier most tourists went to warm countries with the purpose to bask in the sun or in sea foams, now people are more interested in the countries with rich history, where you find not only beach holiday but also gripping sightseeing. It is also necessary to add that the countries were you can not only rest but also get become popular, where it is possible not only to rest but also to get some medical treatment.

Deposits of physical persons on ruble and currency accounts in the Russian banks by July, 1, 2007 made 4 trillion 348,1 billion rubles ($173,92 billion) against 4 trillion 208,7 billion rubles a month before (growth for 3,3%), as Federal service of state statistics (Rosstat) .

60 % of Russians though screw up their faces, but still buy the goods of Chinese production, although they admit that their quality is below the average. And even moreover: the majority of them consider that they are rather dangerous for consumers. Materials are detrimental to health, not ecologically clean.

Rating is actual on 16.08.2007. Greater part of the last month the Russian stock market demonstrated steady and rapid growth. Activity of participants in a great deal was determined by extremely favorable external news background and attractive prices for shares of the Russian issuers, looking underestimated in the beginning of the summer.