Russia increases foreign trade
Russia's Federal Statistics Service quoted the Bank of Russia as saying that the country's foreign trade totaled $47 billion in the January-February 2005 period, up 33.3% year on year. Exports rose 38.3% year on year to $32.3 billion in the first two months of 2005, while imports increased 23.6% to $14.8 billion. Accordingly, Russia posted a trade surplus of $17.5 billion during the first two months of 2005. The country had recorded a surplus of $11.4 billion during the first two months of 2004. Fuel and energy exports contributed greatly to Russia's foreign trade by increasing 62%. Exports of metals and goods rose 17%.