01.06.09

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Tuesday the government would keep aiding the real economy, including the auto and agriculture industries.

"We should continue lending to the industries that are in a difficult situation," he said. "This cannot be avoided. I mean, for example, the auto and agriculture industries."

Medvedev said he believed government loan guarantees should become more available for the real economy.

Medvedev also said the government would keep aiding businesses that account for a great portion of a certain city's economy.

Medvedev went on to reiterate his calls for a more diversified economy. Russian officials have repeatedly called for reducing the Russian economy's dependence on commodity exports.

He also said he believed businesses should not use the crisis to hurt the country's economy and should instead use it as an opportunity to become more efficient.

"The crisis can be used in different ways," Medvedev said. "(Businesses) can either use it in a positive way - cut costs and promote energy efficiency - or simply inflate prices and collude with other companies."

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Source: Prime-Tass