DUSHANBE, June 3, Asia-Plus -- A sum of money remitted by Tajik labor migrants to Tajik banks for their families makes 20 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) of the country, Mr. Johannes Lynn, Executive Director of the Wolfensohn Initiative at the Brookings Institution (Washington), remarked at a videoconference with participation of representatives from civil societies of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan on June 1.  

Last year, Tajikistan’s GDP amounted to 7,201,124,500 Somonis (equivalent to more than 2.22 billion U.S. dollars).   

According to Mr. Lynn, at present one of the most acute issues in the region is the issue of migration, especially among young people and women.  

Now many people from some countries of the region travel to other countries, particularly to Russia and Kazakhstan, [in search of seasonal work], Mr. Lynn noted.  Migration is important not only terms of human resources but also in terms of economy, according to him.     

The Wolfensohn Initiative executive director noted that governments of the countries of the region might take measures to jointly tackle the labor migration problem.  Among the most acute problems of the labor migration, Johannes Lynn named crossing of borders, visa regime as well as poor knowledge of migrants of the travel and the employment realities abroad as well as legal requirements in the country of destination.  

“The majority leaders of the countries of the region want to expand regional cooperation, but for political and economic reasons this cooperation has not expanded, border issues have not resolved in particular,” says Lynn, “There are preconditions in the region for political and institutional changes through expression of views of residents of border areas.” 

In his opinion, the region should determine its priorities; the region should, in particular, tackle problems of trade, transportation, transit of cargoes and passengers, as well as natural disaster response.   

Of the countries of the region, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan are striving for integration more effectively, while Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are not so active, Lynn said, noting that the region could drive benefit for efficient cooperation in the field of energy.  

Experts note labor migrants are a critical component in the economies of most Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) nations.  Remittances keep many struggling families at home above the poverty line, and help to alleviate the stress caused by a lack of domestic job opportunities.