Kazakhstan oil export decreases by 2.4 % in initial 6 months of 2008/07

/REUTERS, Almaty, August 18, 08/ - Kazakhstan oil and gas condensate export in January - June of 2008 decreased by 2.4 %, compared to the same period last year, to 30.725 m. tones, the Statistics Agency informed. Volume of oil and gas condensate export in monetary expression increased by 66.9 % and reached $21.21 bn. Kazakhstan government introduced oil export duty in amount of $109.91, which 38 oil producing companies, operated in Kazakhstan must pay. Beginning 2009 oil export duty will supposed to cover all companies of Kazakhstan production sector. In 2007, Kazakhstan increased oil production with gas condensate up to 67.5 m. tons from 65.0 m. tons in 2006. The total volume of Kazakhstan export increased in initial 6 months by 60.7 % in comparison with the same period of the last year and made $35.047 bn. In January - June the trading balance was positive in the amount of $17.95 bn. Kazakhstan major export items in natural and monetary expressions in comparison with the indicators of the last year are given below: ----------------------------------------------------------------- January-June January- June 2008/07 2008/07 ------------------- ----------------- (th. tones) (in %) ($ m.) (in %) ------------------------- ----------- ------ -------- ------- Wheat and meslin 3.456.6 -0.1 1.014.8 +104.7 Iron ore 7.803.3 +5.0 568.1 +58.9 Coal 17.131.2 +33.3 393.8 +56.0 Oil and gas condensate 30.724.9 -2.4 21.205.8 +66.9 Oil products 1.939.8 +3.5 1.047.7 +70.7 Cotton fibre 55.2 -48.7 76.1 -26.6 Ferroalloys 660.8 +3.6 1.309.9 +130.1 Refined copper and alloys 136.2 -34.7 1.066.0 -20.4 Alumina 40.2 +312.0 126.7 1.017.7 Unprocessed zinc 163.2 -2.5 365.3 -37.5 Lead 45.7 -18.3 125.6 +32.5 ----------------------------------------------------------------- During this period the main buyers of Kazakhstan commodities were: Italy - 18.3 %, Switzerland - 15.3 %, China - 9.5 % and Russia - 8.8 %. [2008-08-18]