Tiraspol, 17 July. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. Compared to the first half of 2017, Pridnestrovian exports increased by 70% to $ 351 million from January to June 2018. Imports increased by 44% to $ 617 million as well. The trade balance remains negative: -267 million against -220 million last year. Nevertheless, the foreign trade growth (53%) indicates a stable economic situation, although in June the figures were lower than in February.
According to the State Customs Committee (SCC), Russia, Moldova, Ukraine, Germany and Italy remain Pridnestrovie's main trading partners. There is also an increase in trade with Poland and China. At the same time, 40% of the total turnover accounts for Russia with imports predominating over exports. At the same time, exports to Russia amount to 7% in the general structure of foreign sales.
46% of export deliveries account for Moldova. It is followed by Romania (17%), Italy (8%), Ukraine (8%), Germany (6%), Russia (7%), Slovakia (2%) and Serbia (1%). In total, 37% of all Pridnestrovian goods are exported to the EU countries, with only 7% sold to the countries of the Customs Union. The reverse situation is in imports: we buy 63% of all goods from the Customs Union and only 18% from the European Union.
In the first half of 2018, according to the State Customs Committee, exports of metals and metal products increased by 2.5 times. Sales of mineral products, chemical products and energy, as well as clothing and food, also increased. At the same time, the export of machinery, footwear and textile products slightly decreased. At the same time, there is an increase in exports of all categories of goods.