DUSHANBE, June 16, 2011, Asia-Plus - Tajikistan’s foreign trade turnover, including electricity and gas in the first five months this year made $1 billion 866.8mln US dollars. This is 31.7% ($449.7mln) more as compared to the same period last year, the Tajik State Statistical Agency under the President’s Office told the AP.

According to the agency, trade deficit made nearly $670.8mln. Tajikistan had external trade relations with 86 countries, including 10 CIS countries and 76 foreign countries.

The agency stressed that the volume of export of commodities in January-May made $598mln or 27.2% ($127.7mln) more as compared to the same period 2010. Tajikistan imported goods worth $1bln 268.8mln. This is 34% ($322mln) more as compared to January-May last year.

“Export of cotton in the past five months this year has doubled, export of precious metals increased by 7.3%, mineral products – by 3.4%,” the agency has said. “Import of chemical products has increased by 16.6%, mineral products – by 36%, ready-to-use food products – 1.7 times and vegetable products – 1.5 times.”