Yerevan. (Interfax) - Armenia had a foreign trade deficit of $83 million in January-February 2003, 49.3% higher than in the first two months of last year.

Foreign trade turnover grew 21.2% to $254 million, with exports up 11.1% to $85.5 million and imports up 27.1% to $168.5 million, the National Statistical Agency told Interfax.

Foreign trade with the CIS totaled $71.6 million, or 28.2% of overall trade, compared with 29.6% in January-February last year. Trade with the rest of the world was $182.4 million, or 71.8% of the total (70.4%).

Armenia's deficit in trade with CIS countries came to $39.2 million, including $16.2 million in exports and $55.4 million in imports. The country's trade deficit with non-CIS countries came to $43.8 million, including $69.3 million in exports and $113.1 million in imports.

Of Armenia's exports, cut diamonds and jewelry made from precious metals and stones accounted for 57.43%, finished food goods for 9.12%, minerals 8.42% and non-precious metals and metal products 6.32%. Of the country's imports, cut diamonds and jewelry made from precious metals and stones accounted for 27.06%, raw mineral products 18.87%, machinery and equipment 11.39%, food 6.29% and non-precious metals
and metal products 7.6%.