Скачать или смотреть RUSSIA: RUSSIAN ROUBLE

(28 Dec 2000) Russian/Nat
XFA
After months of stability , the Russian rouble's official rate has been dropping this week by around 10 kopecks a day.

The Central Bank on Wednesday fixed the exchange rate at 28.16 roubles to one U.S. dollar.

However, on the streets the exchange rate tells a different story.

Private bureaux de Change have the rouble set as low as 28.65 roubles to one U.S. dollar compared to 27.90 roubles last Wednesday.

Dmitry Trenin, the deputy director of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, thinks that the drop in the exchange rate can be explained by low business activity.

Many Muscovites don't appear too worried about the current financial situation, considering it normal for this time of year.

But others see it as a situation that would lead to higher prices, making life more difficult.

On Thursday, the official exchange rate of the rouble is expected to be around 28.30 roubles for one U.S. dollar.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It is the end of the year, and Russian companies have lots of roubles on their accounts. We also have a season of holiday in the West, so many businesses are closed for the holidays. You do not need dollars at this point."
SUPER CAPTION: Dmitry Trenin, deputy director of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"There is nothing we can do about it. It will continue to happen until our state learns how to normally spend the money that it collects."
SUPER CAPTION: Vladimir, Muscovite

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"I am worried because when the dollar is growing, the prices will grow. You know how it is when the prices grow."
SUPER CAPTION: Nikolai , Muscovite

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The forecast for the next year is for the dollar to remain at this fairly high level of 28.2-28.5 and may be going up to 29 roubles to the dollar. But, any other fluctuation of the dollar value in Russia will depend on the oil prices."
SUPER CAPTION: Dmitry Trenin, deputy director of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

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