DUSHANBE, February 18, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- In January 2009, the external trade turnover of Tajikistan, including electrical power and natural gas, amounted to 315.9 million dollars, which was 93.3 percent of the January 2008 level or 22.7 million dollars fewer, according to the State Committee for Statistics.

The trade balance of negative and mounted to 185.6 million US dollars.

Exports of goods in January 2009 amounted to 65.1 million US dollars, which was 41.8 percent or 46.8 million dollars fewer than in January 2008.

Imports of goods into the country over the report period amounted to 250.7 million US dollars, which was 10.6 percent or 24 million dollars more than in January 2008.

Compared to December 2008 exports and imports decreased last month by 14 and 16.1 percent respectively.

In January 2009, Tajikistan had trade relations with 66 countries of the world, including 10 CIS states.  Over the report period the far abroad countries accounted for 81.7 percent, or 53.2 million dollars, of Tajikistan’s exports.  Imports also came mainly from the far abroad countries – 53.9 percent or 135.2 million dollars.