DUSHANBE, March 13, Asia-Plus  -- Amonatbonk (Tajikistan’s savings bank) has remitted 8 million somonis of the second tranche of government’s cotton loan to its branches for providing loans to cotton-growing farms, Lola Mirganova, a spokeswoman for Amonatbonk, told Asia-Plus on Thursday.  

According to her, Amonatbonk’s branches have already started providing loans to cotton farmers.  She noted that the bank received the second tranche on March 4.  

As it had been reported earlier, by government’s resolution Amonatbonk provides loans only to cotton-growing farms in Khatlon’s districts of Danghara; Yovon; Jomi; Vakhsh; Khuroson; Bokhtar, Farkhor, Vose, Kulob, Hamadoni; and Jilikul.   

In all, 25 million somonis (TJS) in loans will be provided to the farming units in Khatlon through Amonatbonk this year.  The bank provides loans at 12 percent annual interest.   

            These funds are provided in three tranches: 12 million TJS in February; 8 million TJS in March; and 5 million TJS in August-September.  

            The first tranche was remitted by the ministry of finance to the bank on February 7.