DUSHANBE, July 20, Asia-Plus -- “An exchange rate of the US dollar having been established the country has reached utmost point and we are expecting for stabilization of it within the next few days,” Finance Minister Safarali Najmuddinov told journalists on July 19.  

According to him, it means that the USD exchange rate will not exceed 3.32 Somonis for US$1.00 (official exchange rate fixed by the country’s central bank). “Besides, the Ministry of Finance and the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT) intend to tighten control over activities of the currency exchange offices in the country because at present the market exchange rate of USD in Tajikistan is exceeding the official one excessively,” the minister said.

He also added that increase in the USD exchange rate in the summer had a seasonal character.  “It is connected with increase in flow of labor migrants leaving the country in seeking better employment,” Mr. Najmuddinov said, noting that increase in the exchange rate of USD in the summer has also resulted from rising fuel prices.  

Today, an official exchange rate of USD in Tajikistan amounts to 3.32 Somonis, while the market exchange rate of the U.S. dollars fluctuates from 3.37 Somonis to 3.39 Somonis.