DUSHANBE, February 15, 2013, Asia-Plus  -- In January 2013, the external trade turnover of Tajikistan, including electrical power and natural gas, amounted to 428.2 million U.S. dollars, which was 107.4 percent of the January 2012 level or 29.4 million U.S. dollars more, according the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan. 

The trade balance was negative and amounted to some 175.3 million U.S. dollars.

Exports of goods last month amounted to more than 126.4 million U.S. dollars, which was 19 percent, or 20 million U.S. dollars, more than in January 2012. 

Imports of goods into the country last month amounted to more than 301.8 million U.S. dollars, which was 3.2 percent, or 9.2 million U.S. dollars, more than in the same period last year.  

Last month, Tajikistan had relations with 68 countries of the world, including ten CIS nations.

Compared to January 2012 Tajikistan’s food product exports last month fell 10 percent 15.6 percent.  Meanwhile, exports of precious and non-precious metals fell 99 and 14.3 percent respectively. 

Exports of mineral products and cotton fiber last month rose 100 and 75 percent respectively, the Agency for Statistics said.

Last month, Tajikistan reportedly imported more than 30,000 tons of oil precuts for a total amount of 36 million U.S. dollars.  In January 2013, the share of oil products in the country’s imports amounted to 12 percent.

Last month, Tajikistan’s major trading partners were: Russia – 66.1 million U.S. dollars; China – 65.4 million U.S. dollars; Kazakhstan – 58.9 million U.S. dollars; and Turkey – 57.1 million U.S. dollars.