DUSHANBE , April 18, Asia-Plus - In January-March this year, the external trade turnover of Tajikistan , including electric energy and natural gas, has amounted to 695 million U.S. dollars, which is 142.2 percent of the January-March 2005 level or 206.3 million U.S. dollars more.  The trade balance has been negative and amounted to US$60.3 million U.S. dollars.

According to figures provided by the State Committee for Statistics, exports of goods over the first quarter of the year have amounted to US$317.4 million, which is 50.2 percent or US$106.1 million more than in January-March 2005.  Imports of goods into the republic over the same three-month period have amounted to US$377.6 million, which is 36.1 percent or US$100.2 million more than in January-March 2005.  

            Over the first three months of the year, Tajikistan has had external trade relations with 62 countries of the world, including 10 CIS states.  The CIS countries have accounted for 45.2 percent or US$314 million of Tajik external trade turnover and the far abroad countries – 54.8 percent or US$381 million.  The trade balance with the CIS state has been negative and amounted to US$224.3 million, while the trade balance with the far abroad countries has been in surplus and amounted to US$164 million.     

            Compared to January-March 2006 the trade turnover with the CIS states has increased by 69.3 percent or US$128.6 million and the trade turnover with the far abroad countries has increased by 25.6 percent or US$77.7 million

            In January-March 2006, Tajikistan ’s main export partners have been the far abroad countries that have accounted for 85.9 percent or US$272.5 million of Tajik exports. 

            Imports over the same three-month period have come mainly from the CIS countries that have accounted for 71.3 percent or US$269 million of Tajik imports.     

            Aluminum, cotton fiber and electric power have remained the main items of Tajik exports in January-March 2006.  

Among the CIS states, main trading partners of Tajikistan were: Russia – US$97.1827 million; Uzbekistan – US$64.8722 million; Kazakhstan – US$58.2541 million, and so forth.  

Among the far abroad countries, main trading partners of Tajikistan were: the Netherlands – US$157.3492; Turkey – US$79.6722 million; China – US$22.3715 million; Iran – US$19.5229 million.