CBR says Russia's current account surplus up 61.6% on yr Jan-Mar

CBR says Russia's current account surplus up 61.6% on yr Jan-Mar

MOSCOW, April 4 (Prime-Tass) -- Russia's current account surplus rose 61.6% on the year to U.S. $37 billion in January-March, the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) reported Friday, citing preliminary data.

Russia's export of goods totaled $108.1 billion in the period, while its exports of services amounted to $9.4 billion, import of goods stood at $60.7 billion and imports of services totaled $13 billion, the CBR said. No comparisons were provided.

The country's capital account balance stood at zero in the period, compared with a capital account deficit of about $900 million in January-March 2007, the CBR said.

Russia's financial account deficit stood at $15.5 billion in January-March 2008, compared with a $15 billion financial account surplus in the same period of last year, according to the CBR.