DUSHANBE, April 25, Asia-Plus — President Emomali Rahmon addressed the seventh joint session of the Tajik parliament on April 25.
In the addresses, the head of state outlined main directions of domestic and foreign policy of the country. Although Tajikistan’s gross domestic product has risen considerably over the last past years, however, the country’s economy still depends on import, the president said.
He noted that the country suffered an estimated at 2.9 billion somonis in economic damage from the past difficult winter and pointed to the necessity of using all resources to mitigate effect of the damage on living conditions of the population.
Rahmon also ordered to activate the country’s securities market and charged the ministry of economic development and trade, state committee for investments and management of the state-owned property and central bank to lay legal foundation of functioning of the securities market.
He also pointed to the necessity of developing uranium deposits in the country, noting that Tajikistan accounts for some 13 percent of world’s uranium reserves.
In this year’s address, Rahmon focused on enhancement of the country’s energy sector. He, in particular, noted that 20 small power plants will be constructed in the new future and the remaining three units of the Sangtuda-1 station will have been introduced into operation by the end of this year.
On the Sangtuda-2 power plant, construction of which is funded by Iran, President Rahmon said that the first unit of the plant will have been introduced into operation by the end of 2009.
“The power-transmission line Lolazor-Khatlon, which will be put into operation in June this year, will allow improving electricity supplies to the Khatlon province and part of Gorno Badakhshan,” the head of sate noted.
Underlining the importance of completing construction of the Roghun hydroelectric power station (HPS), Rahmon noted that 136 million somonis of state funds were provided for that this year. He added that next year, this amount will double.
The president charged the government to take all necessary measures to put the first unit of the Roghun HPS into operation as soon as possible. According to him, this requires some $600 million and 3-4 years of work.
He called on all power-engineering specialists that had left Tajikistan to other countries to return and take and active part in construction of that facility of nationwide significance.
The head of state also urged to begin conducting feasibility study for the Shurob power plant on the Vakhsh River starting from 2009.
Rahmon also ordered to increase generating capacities of the Dushanbe and Yovon heat and power stations to 180 MW and 120 MW respectively before October this year.
