DUSHANBE, October 16, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- In January-September 2008, the external trade turnover of Tajikistan, including electric energy and natural gas, has amounted to $3.544 billion, which is 124 percent of the January-September 2007 level, according to figures provided by the State Committee for Statistics.    

            The overall trade balance remained negative and has amounted to $1.25 billion. 

Exports of goods in January-September 2008 have amounted to $1.146 billion, which is 4.8 percent or $52.3 million more than in the same period of last year. 

Imports of goods into Tajikistan over the same nine-month period have amounted to $2.397 billion, which is 35 percent or $633 million more than in January-September 2007.  

Over the first nine months of this year, Tajikistan has had trade relations with 92 countries.  

Compared to August, Tajikistan’s exports in September decreased by 11.9 percent, while the country’s imports in September increased by 20.8 percent.  The country’s external trade turnover for September amounted to $351 million, including exports estimated at $99 million and imports worth $252 million.