Moscow, Apr 24 (IANS): Russia's trade surplus grew by 26 percent in March year-on-year, Russian Deputy Economic Development Minister Andrei Klepach said Monday.

"The trade surplus in March reached $21 billion. In March last year it was smaller, at some $16.7 billion," Klepach told reporters here.

Russia exported goods and services worth nearly $50 billion in March 2012, while imports of the month stood at about $28 billion, Xinhua reported.

In March 2011, Russia's exports amounted to $43.6 billion and imports $26.9 billion.

Klepach pointed out that Russia's exports have slowed down in pace, but continue to grow in the absolute numbers. In March, exports grew by 13.5 percent compared to February.

"This is a minimal year-on-year growth," Klepach stressed.

Also on Monday, Russian Prime Minister and President-elect Vladimir Putin, ordered the ministry to create a comprehensive support system for Russian exports to global markets.

Such a system, Putin said, should combine Russia's financial, diplomatic, informational and legal capabilities.