2 Feb 2010 14:53

Russian trade surplus narrows to $110.6 bln in 2009

MOSCOW. Feb 2 (Interfax) - Russia's trade surplus narrowed to an estimated $110.6 billion in 2009, from $179.7 billion in 2008, Andrei Klepach, a deputy economic development minister, said at a briefing.

The Econ Ministry estimates exports fell 35.7% in 2009 to $303.3 billion, and that imports were down 34% to $192.7 billion, Klepach said.

Klepach said both export and import figures were lower than the $305 billion and $195 billion the Econ Ministry had forecast.

The ministry estimates Russian exports were $33.7 billion in December 2009, compared with $31.1 billion in November, and that imports were $22.5 billion ($19.4 billion.

It forecasts exports will rise to $350 billion and imports to $226.4 billion in 2010.