MOSCOW, December 14, 2007 Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents information on how Russians think the different sectors contribute to the country's economic development at the present time, and what branches will ensure economic advance in the next decade.

The fuel and energy complex still plays the leading role in Russia's economy, just as before: 63% of respondents speak of the sector's huge contribution to the country's economic development. Metallurgy (53%) occupies the second place regarding its contribution to the economic advance, only followed by machine-building industry, military industrial complex (47%), construction engineering (44%). 36-37% of respondents for each group consider significant the contribution to the economy made by the financial and credit sector; communications and transport; consumer goods production, including articles of food. Those who consider the role of the road and communal services, show business and mass-media essential are still less numerous (26% for each of the items mentioned).

The share of Russians who note the big contribution of the fuel and energy complex into the country's economy has reduced within this year (from 79% down to 63%). Banks, investment and insurance companies have also given in (from 52% down to 37%). At the same time the role of machine-building industry and metallurgy has become more prominent.

Three thirds of respondents (73%) associate Russia's economic growth of the coming decade with the oil and gas industry. Other economic sectors were named as the new forefront of the economy noticeably less often. Although respondents mentioned mining operation much more often (of natural resources other than oil and gas from 21% in 2005 up to 30% in 2007) as well as electric power industry (from 13% to 25%), atomic power engineering (from 12% to 22%), metallurgy and machine-building industry (from 17% to 23%). On the contrary, agriculture was much more seldom considered as the moving force of the economy (the index has fallen from 22% down to 16%). Respondents put the least hopes on outer space exploration and aircraft engineering; banking and finance sector; trade, advertising, marketing; forest management; motor industry; services, recreation, tourism industry (7-10% each)

The initiative all-Russia opinion poll was conducted by VCIOM on November 17-18, 2007. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 153 population areas of 46 regions of Russia. The statistical error does not exceed 3.4%.