Russia's economy grew by 8.5% in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the previous year, a percentage point down on the previous quarter's growth, state statistics agency Rosstat said on June 16.
Year-on-year growth in 2007 was 7.4% in the first quarter, 8.1% in the second quarter, 7.3% in the third quarter and 9.5% in the fourth quarter, the agency said.
Growth for the whole of 2007 equalled 8.1%. The government has predicted growth of 7.6% for the whole of 2008.
The International Monetary Fund and World Bank have warned of a risk of Russia's economy overheating.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2008
