Russian trade surplus widens 70% to $136.3 bln in 9M - Central Bank
MOSCOW. Oct 9 (Interfax) - Russia's trade surplus widened 70% year-on-year in January-September 2018 to $136.3 billion, the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) said in a balance of payments estimate posted on its website.
Exports totaled $320.1 billion in 9M 2018, a 27.5% increase on $251.0 billion rubles in exports in the same period last year.
Imports were up 7.7% year-on-year in 9M to $183.7 billion from $170.6 billion last year.
According to the baseline scenario of the Central Bank's forecast, updated in September, with average oil prices at $69 per barrel, the current account surplus is expected at $181 billion rubles in 2018 with exports of $435 billion and imports of $253 billion.