KIEV, Nov. 9 – Ukraine's gross domestic product in January-October 2011 grew by 5.3% compared to the same period in 2010, while industrial production rose by 9%, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said.

"Inflation is close to zero for the third month," he said, while opening a Cabinet of Ministers meeting in Kiev on Wednesday.

Azarov added that the country was continuing to increase salaries and pensions.

He said that achieving a foreign trade surplus was also a fundamental issue. He said that a government program was aimed at reducing the annual pace of growth in imports in 2013-2015 to 9-9.5% and ensuring an increase in exports by 7-10%, which will help achieve a foreign trade surplus of $1.5-2 billion in 2015.