An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Mr. Selim Elekdag is currently on a virtual visit to Tajikistan.  The head of the IMF mission to Tajikistan assessed the Government’s response to the crisis, noting that among the countries of the region, Tajikistan’s economic development was the highest

On Tuesday June 15, the mission virtually met with Tajik Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Zavqi Zavqizoda. 

According to the press center of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MoEDT), the two sides discussed the trends in the global economy, the socioeconomic situation in 2020, January-Mau 21, and the medium-term outlook for the economy.

Tajik minister, in particular, noted that last year, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate stood at 4.5 percent due to ongoing reforms and timely anti-crisis measures taken by the government to prevent the impact of possible risks.

Over the first five months of this year, the national economic growth rate has reportedly risen to 8.6 percent. 

While assessing the effectiveness the anti-crisis measures taken by the government, the head of the IMF mission to Tajikistan noted that among the countries of the region Tajikistan’s economic growth rate was the highest.

For his part, Zavqi Zavqizoda, given the difficulties of 2021, asked the IMF to provide assistance in increasing financial support for Tajikistan’s economy from development partners, including the IMF, and provide assistance to strengthen the macroeconomic modeling and forecasting system and improve the process of forecasting economic development of Tajikistan.  

It is emphasized that this request was supported.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the sides expressed their readiness to expand cooperation to reduce or prevent the impact of possible risks on sectors of the national economy and to maintain macroeconomic stability.

Recall, the IMF Executive Board in May last year approved a disbursement of US$189.5 million for budget support to help Tajikistan meet urgent balance of payments and fiscal needs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.