Kazakhstan's trade surplus almost doubled to $29.5 billion in 2010 from $14.8 billion in the preceding year, while China became the country's main export market, the State Statistics Agency said on Monday, Reuters reported.
Exports, predominantly oil and metals, increased by 37.1 percent year-on-year to $59.2 billion. Imports rose by 4.8 percent to $29.8 billion.
Chinawas Kazakhstan's biggest export market in 2010, taking a 17.1 percent share of all exports. Italy had a 16.2 percent share of total exports and Russia, the third-biggest market, 8.1percent.
Russiaretained the leading place among Kazakhstan's importers, accounting for 37.0 percent of all imports in 2010. China was second, with 13.3 percent, and Germany third, with a 6.1 percent share.
Following are data supplied by the State Statistics Agency:
FOREIGN TRADE BALANCE OF KAZAKHSTAN ($ billion)
2010 2009
Exports 59.217 43.196
Imports 29.760 28.409
Balance +29.457 +14.787