Credit balance of Tajik banks in the first quarter this year made over 4.3bln Somoni (over $910mln), press service of the Tajik National Bank told AP.

According to TNB, more than 1.8bln Somoni in the remaining credits are funds in national currency and over 2.5bln Somoni – in foreign currency. Credit balance has increased by 7.4% as compared to the same period last year.

Average interest per annum in the first quarter this year made 24.26% in national and 19.89% in foreign currency. Thus, interest rate has increased by 2.9% as compared to the same period last year.

TNB said that current growth in the demand caused a 31.3% increase in the volume of microcredits issued in the first quarter this year.

The volume of microcredits issued in remote regions of the republic made 140.2mln Somoni, this is 21.6% more as compared to the same period last year.

“Detection and attraction of free resources, timely issue of credits to small and medium business and to different groups of population by credit organizations plays an important role for the development of national industrial enterprises and improvement of living standards,” the source added.