--- Diane Monaco <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I read a little while ago that the Russian federal budget “surplus” was $8.4 billion during this first half of 2004 high growth period. Budget surpluses and high growth do often go hand-in-hand. Is there the feeling in Russia that the federal tax system does weigh heavily on business?
Also, are military equipment exports fueling some of this growth? (See article below) --- Even though Russia has the lowest income tax on business in Europe (13% flat tax), the "liberals" _still_ keep complaining that it's excessive. But the real federal weight on business comes from corruption (bribe money). Arms exports are definitely part of it, but mostly it's exports of natural resources, plus the revived internal market for domestic production made possible by the 1998 devaluation of the ruble. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Vote for the stars of Yahoo!'s next ad campaign! http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/yahoo/votelifeengine/
