Georgia sees rise in trade turnover with Russia
By Jamila Babayeva
Trade turnover between Georgia and Russia increased by 43 percent in January-November 2013, the National Statistics Office of Georgia reported.
Russia ranks fourth in the list of countries - major trade partners of Georgia. During the reporting period, the trade turnover with Russia amounted to $ 680 million, which occupies 7 percent of the total foreign trade turnover.
The rise in turnover between Georgia and Russia is mainly linked with allowance to enter the Russian market.
Russia gradually resumed import of a number of Georgian goods in 2013, banned in 2006 on the background of deterioration in bilateral relations.
Georgia and Russia, its giant northern neighbour, have maintained no diplomatic relations since a brief war in 2008. Tbilisi broke off relations with Moscow in August 2008 when Moscow crushed a Georgian assault to reassert control over two rebel regions -- South Ossetia and Abkhazia -- and later recognized the regions. Georgia announced the two unrecognized republics as occupied territories in September 2008.
Also, Georgia's foreign trade turnover with the CIS countries increased by 14 percent up to $ 3.4 billion in January-November 2013.
Total foreign trade of Georgia amounted to $ 9681 million in January-November 2013, which is higher by 4 percent compared to the same period of 2012. The value of export grew by 20 percent reaching $2618 million, while the import decreased by 2 percent to $ 7064 million compared to the same period of 2012.