DUSAHNBE, April 20, Asia-Plus – On Thursday April 20, President Rahmonov addressing a joint meeting of Tajikistan’s parliament pointed to the necessity of strengthening social protection of the vulnerable sections of the population and intensifying efforts to reduce poverty in the country.
Rahmonov noted
Tajikistan
would continue developing its economic sector in coming several years.
According to the president, gross domestic product (GDP) has increased by 60 percent over the past five years and rate of
Tajikistan
’s external debt to GDP has decreased from 108 percent in 1998 to 31 percent this year. The volume of the country’s budget increased from 1.8 billion Somonis in 2005 to 2.2 billion this year, according to him.
The president pointing to the necessity of reducing poverty in the country stressed that sustainable development of the republic depended on economics. “Within the next nine years, 41.6 billion Somonis (equivalent to some US$13 billion) will be provided for reducing poverty in Tajikistan,” Rahmonov said, noting that GNI per capita in the republic will have amounted to some 3,000 Somonis (some US$1,000). At present GNI per capita in
Tajikistan
amounts to US$300.
“To reach these goals we have to provide development of all sectors of the country’s economy, balanced budget as well as drum up domestic and foreign investments,” the president said. He also noted that the government should create conditions for development of economy, provide competition, support private sector as well as promote development of light industry, tourism and other sectors of economy.
The president said that at present seven joint ventures for processing cotton were being launched in the country. In this connection, the ministry of economy and trade in cooperation with other organizations is to work out submit for consideration to the government a program aimed at facilitating development of the cotton-processing enterprises in the country. Besides, the operating textile enterprises in
Tajikistan
will be provided with state-of-the-art technologies.
Development of light industry will allow increasing the revenue part of the country’s budget and its export potential, Rahmonov stressed.
At the same time, Rahmonov noted that many joint ventures in the republic were operating at a loss. “All this happens because of shortcomings in the country’s laws,” said the president, “At present parliament ought to make appropriate amendments to the present legislation.”
Head of state also pointed to the necessity of increasing export potentials of Tajik Aluminum Plant (TadAz). According to him, TadAz accounts for 41 percent of a volume of industrial output manufactured in
Tajikistan
. “The Ministry of Economy and Trade should work out a program for primary procession of aluminum, precious stones and metals,” Rahmonov said.
President Rahmonov noted that
Tajikistan
would gain its energy independence by 2009. According to him, the government has undertaken all necessary measures to provide the country’s energy independence, attracting for this foreign investments. He noted that at present a number of projects with participation of Russian and Iranian investments were working in the country.
According to him,
Tajikistan
will be capable to generate 80 billion kWh of electricity a year by 20025. To reach this goal the president ordered the energy ministry to draft within three months a program for construction of small power plants with participation of both domestic and foreign investments. Rahmonov added that it was planned to provide 5 billion Somonis within the next few years for development of energy sector in
Tajikistan
.
