DUSHANBE , January 24, Asia-Plus - in 2005, Tajikistan produced 4.1145 billion Somonis worth of industrial goods, which 322.3 million Somonis more compared to 2004, the Industries Minister, Zayd Saidov, announced at a news conference in Dushanbe on January 23. 

According to him, of 630 industrial enterprises in the republic, 387 (61 percent) exceeded the 2004 production level and provided production growth.  

“Last year, a share of non-ferrous metallurgy in the country’s industry accounted for 43.5 percent, share of food industry for 18.7 percent, share of light industry for 16.2 percent, share of fuel-energy industry for 7.1 percent, share of building materials production accounted for 2.6 percent, share mechanical engineering and ore processing accounted for 1.5 percent, and the share of chemical and oil-chemical industry accounted for 1.3 percent,” the minister said, noting that decrease in output of some basic items of industrial products in Tajikistan is connected with shortage of fuel, and the fact that equipment have outlived their service.   

The minister also noted that 48 new enterprises and those that were standing idle set to producing output.   “Of them, 20 enterprises are based in Dushanbe , 16 – in Sughd Province , 5 – in Khatlon Province , 6 – in districts subordinate to the center, and one enterprise in Gorno Badakhshan,” Zayd Saidov said.