/IRBIS, Feb.21, 00/ - REUTERS informs, with the reference to Statistics agency of Kazakhstan, that by preliminary estimates, in 1999 trade balance of Kazakhstan (including CIS countries) equaled positive $203.9 mln compared with negative balance of $1,692.2 mln in 1998.

External trade balance of Kazakhstan 1999 1998

---------------------   -------   --------
Exports                 5,755.3    6,046.5
Imports                 5,551.4    7,738.7
Balance                  +203.9   -1,692.2
---------------------   -------   --------

including with CIS countries

1999 1998

-------  -------  --------
Exports  1,619.2   2,591.0
Imports  2,438.6   3,696.7
Balance   -819.4  -1,105.7
-------  -------  --------

It is also said the proportion of exports to CIS countries has decreased down to 28% compared with 43% in 1998. Imports from CIS countries fell down to 44% relative to 48% in 1998.