Russia's budget surplus almost triples

The budget surplus of the Russian Federation in May increased 270%, or
221.8 billion rubles - up to 355.8 billion rubles in the first five
months of the year and 134.03 billion rubles at the end of April; the
percentage of GDP surplus in January-May was 1.8%, the Finance
Ministry said on Friday, RIA Novosti reports.

The State Duma approved an amendment to the budget in May, according
to which its deficit this year is expected to amount to 1.3% of GDP.
Amendments have been prepared based on the forecasted average price of
the Urals oil at 105 dollars per barrel, whereas previously the budget
was laid down based on the $75 price. In mid-March, Finance Minister
Alexei Kudrin noted that the budget deficit this year could be zero -
assuming an average oil price of $115 per barrel. According to the
latest statement by the Ministry of Economic Development, the average
price of black gold will be $105 per barrel.