Russian trade surplus grows to record $20.533 bln in Jan - CBR
MOSCOW. March 13 (Interfax) - Russia foreign trade surplus, as determined by balance of payments methodology, amounted to a record $20.533 billion in January, 46.6% more year-on-year ($14.009 billion last January) and 0.5% more than last December ($20.440 billion), the Central Bank of Russia reported.
Therefore, a new absolute monthly record for the trade surplus was posted January. The surplus topped $20 billion for the second month in a row, after exceeding this level in December 2011.
For comparison, Russia's annual trade surplus in 1993, 1994, 1997 and 1998 did not exceed this level.
Total exports in January 2012 came to $40.128 billion, up 32.2% year-on-year (from $30.343 billion) but a 21.3% decrease from December of 2011 ($50.979 billion).
Total imports in January 2012 came to $19.595 billion, up 20% from January 2011 ($16.334 billion) but down 35.8% from December ($30.539 billion). Absolute highs for monthly export and imports were posted for December 2011.
