Russia's external debt has fallen to $347.7 billion as of July 1, having decreased by $33 billion, or 8.7%, since the beginning of the year, according to the Central Bank of Russia.
"The dynamics of the indicator were determined by a reduction in the obligations of other sectors on debt instruments, including in the framework of direct investment relations, which was partly due to the implementation of the mechanism for issuing replacement bonds. An important role was played by reducing the debt of public administration bodies due to the sale of sovereign securities by non-residents," the bank's report stated.
According to the Central Bank, the external debt has become the lowest since the end of 2006, when it grew to $355.6 billion.
Putin also drew the SPIEF's attention to positive developments and prospects for Russia's economy, outlining that GDP growth by the end of 2023 may be about 2%, and in April it increased by 3.3%.
"I agree with those of our experts who believe that the growth [of GDP] will still be up to 1.5%, and maybe more — under 2%. This will help our country to keep its place among the leading economies of the world," Putin said during his address at SPIEF.
According to the president, in January-April, Russia’s foreign trade surplus reached $22.6 billion.
In addition, Putin said that rubles and yuan are increasingly being used.
"I would also point to a noticeable progress in the use of national currencies in foreign trade. This is a separate big topic. Today, about 90% of settlements with the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union are made in rubles. More than 80% of settlements with China are in rubles and yuan," the president said.