Russia posts increase in trade surplus

Russia posts increase in trade surplus

Russia's Federal Customs Service disclosed that the country's foreign trade surplus rose from $30.4 billion to $42.7 billion in the first four months of 2005. Exports climbed 34.8% year on year to $69.2 billion in the first four months, while imports increased 26.7% to hit $26.5 billion. During the January-April 2005 period, Russia's trade turnover totaled $95.7 billion, an increase of 32.4% year on year. Russia's trade with non-CIS countries amounted to $81.1 billion, up 36.6% year on year. Furthermore, Russia's trade with CIS countries totaled $14.6 billion, a year-on-year increase of 13.3%.