Kazakhstan, Astana, April 26 /Trend A.Maratov/
Kazakhstan increased exports of goods by 36 percent in January-February of 2011up to $11.6 billion over the same period last year, Economic Development and Trade Minister Kairat Kelimbetov said at the government meeting on Tuesday on the country's socio-economic development for the first quarter of 2011.
Fuel and energy products made up 76.2 percent of exports and metals and wares- 12.8 percent. During the report period, the country exported 11.2 million tons of oil and gas condensate, which provided 70.4 percent of revenue from the exports.
Imports of goods grew by 22.4 percent up to $3.8 billion.
Kelimbetov highlighted the growth of food imports. Thus, meat import increased by 2.1times and sugar - 13 times. However, machinery and equipment imports made up 48.7 percent of the total figure, or 4.5 percent less. Import of mineral products decreased by 87 percent and tubes and ferrous metals -by 46 percent.
Black ink in the country's foreign trade turnover amounted to $7.8 billion compared to $5.4 billion in January-February 2010.
"The outcome of the Customs Union's activities for January-February 2011, show that the Kazakh export to Russia grew by 56.1 percent and Belarus - 2.6 times. Imports from Russia grew by 33 percent," he added.
The volume of foreign trade with the Customs Union countries increased by 41.5 percent to $2.9 billion. The figure made up 18.8 percent of total trade turnover of Kazakhstan.