Despite economic crisis, Gazprom has trebled its net profit in 2009

Russian gas giant Gazprom more than trebled its 2009 net profit, which is reported to Russian Accounting Standards (RAS). Gazprom said on Tuesday its net profit in 2009 was 624.6 billion roubles ($21.1 billion) versus 173 billion roubles a year earlier.

Under its dividend policy, Gazprom must allocate around 17.5% of RAS net profit to shareholders, a Reuters report said.