DUSHANBE, October 16, 2008, Asia-Plus — The Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) is expected to consider a draft law on the national budget for 2009 on November 12, 2008, the Majlisi Namoyandagon Speaker Saydullo Khayrulloyev noted at a sitting of the fifth session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon on October 15.
We will recall that the government considered the draft law on the national budget for 2009 on September 30. Speaking at the meeting, the president said that the national budget for 2009 will stand at 6.008 billion somoni, which is 29 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and 1.5 billion somoni more than the 2008 national budget. According to him, GDP is projected to rise 7.1 percent next year to 20.665 billion somoni, while Inflation rate is expected to be 13 percent. The president noted that the state budget for 2009 reflects the economic development of the country and spending on development of real sector and construction of facilities of statewide importance, including power plants, power grids, industrial enterprises, as well as roads and tunnels, will account for more than 50 percent of budget allocations. Rahmon added that the budget projects expenditure of 2.437 billion somoni in the social sector, including enhancement of education and health sectors and social protection of the population.
