URGENT: Russian industrial output grew 2.1% in 2008 - statistics

MOSCOW, January 23 (RIA Novosti) - Russian industrial production grew a mere 2.1% in 2008 against the forecast of 4.7%, and fell 10.3% year-on-year in December 2008, the Federal Statistics Service said on Friday.

"The industrial production index stood at 2.1% in 2008 as compared to 2007," the service said in a statement.