The Russian Trade Minister, Georgy Gabunia, has said it may take five years for the country's foreign trade to return to last year's levels.

Mr Gabunia told an economic forum in Moscow that trade has fallen by almost a fifth as a result of Russia's economic problems, and was only expected to increase marginally over the coming years.

He said that to strengthen Russia's role in world trade, the government must change customs legislation and simplify import and export procedures.