DUSHANBE
, July 24, Asia-Plus – Economy and Trade Minister Hakim Soliyev presided over a meeting of the board of the ministry on July 22. Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov and State Adviser to the Tajik President for Economic Matters Matlubkhon Davlatov as well as heads of a number of ministries and organizations also took part in the work of the board meeting, which summed up the results of work carried out by the Ministry of Economy and Trade over the first half-year of 2006.
During the meeting it was noted that gross domestic product (GDP) of Tajikistan had increased by 7.1 percent and amounted to 3.5245 billion Somonis (equivalent to more than US$1 billion) in January-June of this year. The inflation rate over the same six-month period has amounted to 6.6 percent. The annual rate of inflation has been predicted at 7 percent. With regard to review of this index, the inflation rate is supposed to have amounted to 8 percent by the end of this year.
Compared to January-June 2005 an average monthly wage has increased by 34.1 and amounted to more than 113 Somonis over the first six months of this year.
Hakim Soliyev telling the meeting pointed to the necessity of introduction of new technologies for development of the country’s industrial potential. According to the minister, there is needed a new approach to development of mining of precious metals and stones. “Tajikistan’s chemical industry has had serious problems for shortage of natural gas supplies over the mentioned period, and it is necessary to take appropriate measures in order to bring the situation back to normal”, the minister said.
According to data of the Ministry of Economy and Trade, debts of consumers for natural gas shipments have increased by 5.2 million Somonis over the past six months and amounted to 164.6 million Somonis as of July 1.
During the meeting it was noted that the first half-year’s gross agricultural product from all categories of farms has been 638.9 million Somonis (in current prices) and has increased by 13.4 percent compared to the same period of 2005.
At the same time, the minister assessed the situation with processing of farm produce and rational use of farmland in the republic as “unsatisfactory.” “Besides, additional privileges and support are needed for the country’s cotton sector,” Hakim Soliyev said, noting that agricultural machines are also in a poor state. “In near future, the Ministry of Economy and Trade intends to submit its proposals on this issue to the government,” the minister noted.
