MOSCOW, November 29. /TASS/. Exports of the CIS countries in January-September 2024 increased by 9.7% year-on-year to 8.7 trillion rubles ($79.3 bln), Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said at the 104th meeting of the CIS Economic Council.

"The volume of mutual trade of the CIS countries, exports in January-September 2024 increased by 9.7%, reaching approximately 8.7 trillion rubles compared to the same period in 2023," he noted.

Overchuk stressed that the key task of the Commonwealth of Independent States remains the development of close trade and economic ties between its members-states.

"We are steadily developing cooperation, showing economic growth rates that exceed many forecasts. We discussed this in detail today within a limited circle of delegates," he said.

Overchuk added that the meeting also discussed the need to maintain, transform and strengthen trade and economic ties, strengthen the CIS and its international influence, as well as assistance in the formation of a single cultural, educational and scientific space of the Russian Federation and other CIS member states.