Over May 11 - 18 gold reserves of Russia grew 400 mln i.e. 1.23% from $32.5bn to $32.9 bn, information from Public Relations Department of Central Bank of Russia sais.

The amount of gold reserves is a new record over the whole period this information is being published by CBR.

Meantime, Chairman of CBR Victor Geraschenko said on May 16 the optimal volume of gold reserves of Russia is 42-45 bn USD. According to him CBR expected the growth of 6 bn in 2001 while the IMF projections of this figure borders with 9 bn USD.

Comparing with the beginning of 2001 when gold reserves volume was $28 bn this figure increased 17.5%.