DUSHANBE, October 19, Asia-Plus - Over the past nine months, the external trade turnover of Tajikistan, including electric power and natural gas,  has amounted to US$2.228 billion, which is 139.8 percent of the January-September 2005 level or US$634.4 million more, according to the State Committee for Statistics.  The trade balance was negative and amounted to US$214 million.

The committee said that exports of goods over the same nine-month period have amounted to US$1.007 billion, which is 56 percent or US$361.5 million more compared to the same period of last year.  Imports of goods to Tajikistan have amounted to US$1.221 billion, which is 28.8 percent or US$228.4 million more than in the first three quarters of 2005.       

In January-September 2006, Tajikistan’s main export partners were the far abroad countries.  They have accounted for 86.6 percent or US$872.2 million of Tajik exports.  Imports came mainly from the CIS countries, which have accounted for 66.3 percent or US$809.8 million of Tajik imports over the first nine months of this year. 

In January-September 2006, Tajikistan has had trade relations with 83 countries around the world, including 10 CIS countries.  The CIS countries have accounted for 42.2 percent or US$944.6 million of Tajikistan’s external trade turnover, and the far abroad countries have accounted for 57.6 percent or US$1.2834 billion.  

Compared to January-September 2005 the trade with CIS countries over the past nine months has increased by 32 percent or US$229.1 million and the trade with the far abroad countries has increased by 46.1 percent or US$405.2 million.  

The balance in the trade with the CIS countries was negative and amounted to US$674.9 million, while the balance in the trade with the far abroad countries was positive and amounted to US$461 million.