DUSHANBE, August 28, 2013, Asia-Plus – Project justification on reforming the investment climate of Tajikistan says that the lowest per capita income in the Central Asian region is still in Tajikistan.
It is noted that limited employment opportunities have led to 40 percent of the able population leaving the country in search of work abroad.
Tajikistan”s economic growth is primarily developed through remittances from labor migrants.
The Bank underlines that low investment flow in the country”s economy (approximately 20 percent of GDP in 2012) limits future economic growth and job creation. Even this investment volume is mostly financed by the government and development partners, and contribution of private investors is only 4 percent of the GDP.
ADB analysts believe that considering the government”s financial limitations, private sector investments should play a more important role in the future economic growth of the country.
They advise: “Just like other Central Asian countries, which are strongly dependent on the flow of remittances, Tajikistan may benefit from an increase in the share of these funds, investing into the economy, and not using it for consumption.”
According to the World Bank, in 2012 Tajikistan”s per capita GDP was $872.3, which is the lowest among Central Asian countries.
The highest level is in Kazakhstan ($12006.6) and Turkmenistan ($6510.6). In Uzbekistan per capita GDP in 2012 was $1717, and in Kyrgyzstan almost $1160.
