IMF slashes Russian growth estimates for 2015

(AGI) Moscow, Oct 1 - The International Monetary Fund hasreduced its estimates of Russia's economic growth by half fornext year, from 1 percent to 0.5 percent. "Geopoliticaluncertainties are having a big direct impact on the Russianeconomy," IMF's Antonio Spilimbergo said, presenting theconclusion of the IMF's semiannual mission to Russia. The IMFrecommended that the Bank of Russia continue tighteningmonetary policy to tame inflationary expectations. Moscow'starget is to bring inflation down to 4.5 percent in 2015,although this target may be revised upwards or downwards by 1.5percent. (AGI) . .