Russian trade surplus widens 3.8% in November to $10.861 bln - Central Bank
MOSCOW. Jan 14 (Interfax) - Russia's trade surplus, calculated by the balance of payments method, widened 3.8% to $10.861 billion in November 2010, from $10.458 billion in October, the Central Bank said, quoting preliminary data.
Starting with July of last year, Russia's trade figures include the CB's estimate of mutual trade with Kazakhstan, since there are no official statistics due to the July 1 abolishment of customs documentation at the two countries' border in the context of the Customs Union.
Russian exports increased 1.0% in November from October to $35.346 billion from $35.006 billion. But imports decreased 0.3% to $24.485 billion from $24.547 billion.
November exports were the highest since October of 2008, when they reached $39.088 billion.
Russia's Jan-Nov foreign trade surplus was $136.181 billion, 37.6% greater than the $98.967 billion of the same eleven months in 2009.
The Central Bank reported Russia's account balance on Thursday, saying the country's 2010 trade surplus was $149.2 billion, which was 33.7% greater than 2009's $111.6 billion.
The CB said Jan-Nov 2010 exports reached $357.705 billion, or 32.9% year-on-year ($269.145 billion). Exports for all of last year are estimated at $398.0 billion, which would be a 31.2% increase from the year before ($303.4 billion).
Jan-Nov imports totaled $221.524 billion, a 30.2% year-on-year increase ($170.178 billion). Imports for the whole year are estimated at $248.8 billion, up 29.7% from 2009 ($191.8 billion).