The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday forecast Russia's economy would shrink by 1.2 percent in 2016, an improvement on its previous forecast in May which predicted a 1.5 percent contraction. It saw a return to growth in 2017, when it expected a 1 percent expansion. In a separate report on Russia's financial stability, the IMF said the banking sector remained weak and would probably need additional capital.
Many forecasters have increased their gross domestic product (GDP) forecasts for Russia: the IMF's remains relatively weak. A Reuters poll at the end of last month predicted Russia's economy would contract by 0.6 percent in 2016. "The authorities' flexible and effective policy response has cushioned the economy from the dual shocks of lower oil prices and sanctions," the IMF said in a statement, summarising the assessment by the Fund's executive board following a recent consultation with Russia. "At the same time, the Russian economy will need to adjust to the challenge of persistently lower oil prices by reducing its dependence on oil and energy exports over the medium term," it added, calling for "fiscal adjustment anchored on a credible medium-term plan".