DUSHANBE, September 4, Asia-Plus -- A total volume of deposits in Tajikistan’s banks has increased by 29.7 percent since the beginning of the year and amounted to 699 million Somonis as of August 1, according to information from National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT). 

Source in the Tajik central bank has told Asia-Plus that over the same seven-month period, a total volume of deposits in national currency has risen by 33 percent and amounted to 244 million, and deposits in foreign currencies have risen by 27 percent and amounted to the sum equivalent to 455 million Somonis.  According to the source, deposits of physical entities in January-July 2006 have increased by 35 percent and amounted to  213 million Somonis, and deposits of juridical entities over the same seven-month period have increased by 22 percent and amounted to 485 million Somonis as of August 1.  

The Asia-Plus interlocutor has added that over the past several years, deposits in national currency showed an upward tendency.  “Compared to the beginning of the year, deposits in national currency have increased by 33 percent,” the source said, noting that it was evidence of increase in the population’s trust in the country’s banking system.  

“Increase in the volume of deposits means that a level of incomes of the population has increased,” said the source, “If earlier incomes were used only for consumption, now people realize that money should work and bring profit and therefore should be deposited in bank.”

According to information from the NBT, rates of interest on deposits are on average from 15 percent to 20 percent.