DUSHANBE, October 3, Asia-Plus  -- Experts from the CIS Interstate Committee for Statistics expect Tajikistan’s imports to rise 50 percent this year.

 According to the CIS Interstate Committee for Statistics, import rates will also be high in Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine and Belarus.  

In Russia, imports are expected to rise 45 percent, Moldova and Georgia – 40 percent each, Armenia – 35 percent, Kazakhstan – 30 percent and Azerbaijan – 20-25 percent.

In the meantime, according to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MoEDT), Exports of goods in Tajikistan in January-August 2008 have amounted to $1.047 billion, which is 6.2 percent or $61 million more than in the same period of last year.  Imports of goods into Tajikistan over the same eight-month period have amounted to $2.1467 billion, which is 37.7 percent or $587.8 million more than in January-August 2007.  The overall trade balance remained negative and has amounted to $1.997 billion.

Experts from the CIS Interstate Committee for Statistics expect Tajikistan’s negative trade balance to have reached $798.5 million by the end of this year.  In 2007, the overall trade balance was also negative and amounted to $659.1 million.