Money transfers from Russia by individuals surged 40% in the first six months of 2011 compared to the same period of last year and reached RUR557bn ($18.6bn, or (EURO)13.1bn), according to an analytical report by the group of companies Svyaznoy, one of Russia’s largest retailers of mobile phones, services, and accessories.

The main recipients were C.I.S. countries Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Tajikistan, which received RUR139.3bn, RUR105.8bn and RUR100.3bn respectively.

As much as RUR370bn went to countries outside the C.I.S. The biggest aggregate amounts were sent to Switzerland (up to RUR95bn), China (over RUR50bn), the United States (RUR39bn), Germany and Cyprus (RUR33.4bn each).