DUSHANBE, March 19, Asia-Plus -- Over the first two months of 2007, the external trade turnover of Tajikistan, including electric power and natural gas, has amounted to US$581.3 million, which is 128.9 percent of the January-February 2006 level or US$130.2 million more, according to the State Committee for Statistics. 

The trade balance was negative and amounted to US$87.3 million.

The committee said that exports of goods over the same two-month period have amounted to US$247 billion, which is 18.8 percent more than in the same period of last year.  Imports of goods to Tajikistan have amounted to US$334.3 million, which is 37.5 percent more than in January-February 2005. 

Compared to January 2007 exports in February 2007 decreased by 11.3 percent and imports by 4.3 percent.       

            In January-February 2007, Tajikistan’s main export partners were the far abroad countries.  They have accounted for 85.1 percent or US$210.3 million of Tajik exports. 

Imports came mainly from the CIS countries, which have accounted for 66 percent or US$220.6 million of Tajik imports over the past two months. 

In January-February 2007, Tajikistan has had trade relations with 68 countries around the world, including 11 CIS countries.  The CIS countries have accounted for 44.3 percent or US$257.3 million of Tajikistan’s external trade turnover, and the far abroad countries have accounted for 55.7 percent or US$324 million.  

Compared to January-February 2006 the trade with CIS countries over the report period has increased by 21.2 percent or US$45 million and the trade with the far abroad countries has increased by 35.7 percent or US$85.2 million.  

The balance in the trade with the CIS countries was negative and amounted to US$183.9 million, while the balance in the trade with the far abroad countries was positive and amounted to US$96.6 million.  

 Export of cotton fiber has decreased by 23.1 percent or US$6.4 million over the report period.  Import of electrical power in January-February 2007 decreased by 42.5 percent or US$8.4 million.