DUSHANBE , January 31, Asia-Plus - President Emomali Rahmonov presided over an enlarged meeting of the government on January 30.  The meeting was held to sum up Tajikistan ’s economic results in 2005 and discuss goals and objectives for this year, presidential press service reported.    

Addressing the meeting the president dwelled on problems hampering socioeconomic development of the country.  

Rahmonov noted at the meeting that in accordance with the program of economic reforms in Tajikistan an 8 percent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) should be provided and the inflation rate should be 6 percent.  

Rahmonov named low level of agricultural production, particularly cotton-growing, decrease in exports and non-fulfillment of the stipulated targets in sectors of economy as main factors impeding the GDP growth in the republic.  

Head of state expressed concern about increase in debts on taxes.  “In 2005, this debt increased by 32 million Somonis and as January 1 2006 it has amounted to 157 million Somonis,” the president said, noting that ministers of finance and state revenues and tax collections should take adequate measures to resolve this problem.  

According to the president, although a series of joint ventures have been launched in the republic over the past several years, receipt of investments to their initial capitals is, however, delayed.  

For the purpose of developing light industry in the country Rahmonov charged ministries of economy, industry, the country’s central bank, and other relevant organizations to rationally use the exiting opportunities for the implementation of the program for development of the light industry designed for 2006-2015.    

On the development of energy sector in the country, Rahmonov reminded that last year, the hydropower plant “Pamir-1” and three small power plants were put into operation and the construction of Roghun and Sangtuda-1 hydroelectric power stations was resumed.  “The construction of Sangtuda-2 station will start on February 20,” the president said, noting that the construction of one more small hydropower plant is nearing completion.  “Since 1991, 20 small power plants had been put into operation in the republic; of them, three were constructed last year,” said Rahmonov, “In coming two years, six other small power plants are supposed to be constructed in the republic.”  At the same time, he noted that those moves were not enough to resolve the country’s domestic energy problems.  Head of state charged the ministry of energy in cooperation with other organizations to work out a special government program on the construction of small power plants with drumming up domestic and foreign investments.  

Rahmonov stressed that many potentials of agrarian sector were not rationally used.  “We are able to produce cereals up to one million tons and potatoes up to 600,000 tons a year,” said Rahmonov, “For this it is necessary provide farming units with high-quality seeds.”

The ministries of economy and agriculture, the National Bank and “AgroInvestBonk” are to work out and submit for consideration of the government a new mechanism for investing in the cotton growing and allocating loans to the cotton-growing farms.