DUSHANBE, May 4, Asia-Plus - Tajikistan intends to curb the inflation this year at the rate of 7 percent due to increase in production and export of farm produce, Murodali Alimardonov, Chairman of the National bank of Tajikistan (NBT), announced at a news conference in Dushanbe on May 4.   

Speaking to journalists, the Tajik central bank head expressed confidence that export of agricultural product will have increased this year and it will allow curbing inflation rate.  

At the same time, Alimardonov expressed concern about a high rate of inflation in the first quarter of this year.  “In January-March this year, the inflation rate has amounted to 3.4 percent,” Alimardonov said.  

“Increase in the inflation rate has resulted, first of all, from rising inflations rates in the Central Asian states and the Russian Federation,” said the Tajik central bank head, “Besides, prices of basic food products have risen in Tajikistan, and fuel prices have risen all over the world and effects of this are felt everywhere.” 

Alimardonov also named increase in incomes of the population as the other factor of no small importance contributing to increase in the inflation rate in the republic.  “The population incomes have increased by 27.8 percent and an average monthly wage in Tajikistan has increased by 28.3 percent of the same three-month period,” the NBT chairman said.  

“Flow of investments into the country’s economy has also play inconsiderable role in increase in the rate of inflation, but it also has a positive aspect,” said Alimardonov, “I hope wages will increase in those sectors where they [investment] are sent.” 

The Tajik central bank head also noted that in near future the NBT planned to carry out diversification of Tajikistan ’s export potentials.