DUSHANBE, June 21, Asia-Plus -- Over the first five months of 2007, the external trade turnover of Tajikistan, including electric power and natural gas, has amounted to US$1.4763 billion, which is 121.8 percent of the January-March 2006 level or US$264.6 million more, according to the State Committee for Statistics. 

The trade balance was negative and amounted to US$256.5 million.

The committee said that exports of goods over the same five-month period have amounted to US$609.9 million, which is 9.2 percent or $51.5 million more than in the same period of last year.  Imports of goods to Tajikistan have amounted to US$866.4 million, which is 32.6 percent or $213.1 million more than in January-May 2006. 

Compared to April, exports in may increased by 15.6 percent and imports by 21.4 percent.  

Over the report period, Tajikistan has had trade relations with 78 countries, including 11 CIS states.   

In January-May 2007, Tajikistan’s main export partners were the far abroad countries.  They have accounted for 86.9 percent or $530.1 million of Tajik exports. 

Imports came mainly from the CIS countries, which have accounted for 63 percent or $553 million of Tajik imports over the past five months. 

 The CIS countries have accounted for 42.9 percent or $632.8 million of Tajikistan’s external trade turnover, and the far abroad countries have accounted for 57.1 percent or $843.5 million.  

 Compared to January-May 2006 the trade with CIS countries over the report period has increased by 20.5 percent or $107.5 million and the trade with the far abroad countries has increased by 22.9 percent or $1157 million.  

In January-May 2007, export of Tajik cotton fiber has decreased by 13.7 percent or $8.4 million.    

Tajikistan has increased import of natural gas over the report period by 83.9 percent or $12.6 percent.