Russia ups Jan-Aug trade surplus 18.6% to $137.2 bln - customs
MOSCOW. Oct 10 (Interfax) - Russia ended August with an eight-month foreign trade surplus of $137.2 billion, up 18.6% over Jan-Aug of last year, according to Federal Customs Service (FCS) figures.
Russia did $526.4 billion worth of trade during those eight months, a 35.5% year-on-year increase. Trade turnover with countries outside the Commonwealth of Independent States increased 34.6% to $447 billion, and trade with CIS countries was up 40.8% at $79.4 billion.
The country's balance of trade with non-CIS countries was $116.1 billion (up $17.3 billion) and with CIS countries - $21.1 billion (up $4.2 billion.
Russia's exports were worth $331.8 billion in Jan-Aug, up 31.6% year-on-year. That included $281.5 billion in exports to non-CIS countries (up 30.6%) and to CIS countries - $50.3 billion (up 47.5%).
Russia's imports amounted to $194.6 billion in Jan-Aug, 42.6% more year-on-year. The country imported $165.5 billion worth of goods from non-CIS states (up 41.8%) and $29.1 billion worth from the CIS (up 47.5%).