(Reuters.) – Russian Prime Minster Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree reducing state-backed interest rates on mortgages and extending the program, as part of broader measures aimed to boost economic growth.

Russia has been dealing with sanctions from the West over what Moscow called a “special military operation” in Ukraine that was meant to demilitarize its neighbor and eliminate extreme anti-Russian nationalism.

It was scheduled to close on July 1 because the government-backed mortgage plan that supported a Russian construction boom had been set to end. According to the government, it will run until 2022. The rate will then be reduced from 12% to 9.9%.

According to a government statement, this move will increase the affordability of Russian homes and help the construction industry.

The Russian economy is expected to shrink by 8-10% this year, according to forecasts from the central bank which on Friday cut its key interest rate to 14% in a sharper-than-expected move.