DUSHANBE, March 24, Asia-Plus — In January-February 2006 the external trade turnover of Tajikistan, including electric energy and natural gas, has amounted to 451 million U.S. dollars, which was 150.7 percent of the January-February 2005 level or 151.7 million U.S. dollars more. The trade balance has been negative and amounted to US$35.4 million U.S. dollars.
According to figures provided by the State Committee for Statistics, exports of goods over the first two months of the year have amounted to US$207.8 million, which is 49.1 percent or US$68.5 million more than in January-February 2005. Imports of goods into the republic over the same two-month period have amounted to US$243.5 million, which is 52 percent or US$83.2 million more than in January-February 2005.
Over the first two months of the year, Tajikistan has had external trade relations with 56 countries of the world, including 10 CIS and 46 far abroad countries. The CIS countries have accounted for 47.1 percent or US$212.2 million of Tajik external trade turnover and the far abroad countries – 52.0 percent or US$238.8 million. The trade balance with the CIS state has been negative and amounted to US$153 million, while the trade balance with the far abroad countries has been in surplus and amounted to US$117.6 million.
Compared to January-February 2006 the trade turnover with the CIS states has increased by 86.2 percent or US$98.2 million and the trade turnover with the far abroad countries has increased by 28.8 percent or US$53.5 million
In January-February 2006, Tajikistan’s main export partners have been the far abroad countries that have accounted for 85.7 percent or US$178.2 million of Tajik exports.
Imports over the same two-month period have come mainly from the CIS countries that have accounted for 75.1 percent or US$182.6 million of Tajik imports.
Aluminum, cotton fiber and electric power have remained the main items of Tajik exports in January-February 2006. Compared to January-February 2005, a share of aluminum in Tajik exports has increased by 73 percent or 65.1 million U.S. dollars and a share of cotton fiber in Tajik exports increased by 14.7 percent or 3.5 million U.S. dollars. A share of electricity in Tajik exports compared to January-February 2005 has increased by 41.2 percent or 1.7 million U.S. dollars.
