DUSHANBE, February 1, Asia-Plus -- President Rahmonov has ordered the government, president’s office and the country’s central bank to review the procedure of joint-stock deals in the republic.  

On Monday [January 30], telling the government’s session the president noted that the authorities did not pay a proper attention to export of industrial goods produced in the republic.  “Because of this a large amount of unrealized output is amassing in warehouses year out, said head of state, “on the other hand, processing enterprises have problems with purchasing raw materials, especially cotton fiber.”   

            The president also pointed to the necessity of working out a concept of reforms in housing-municipal economy.   

On the development of entrepreneurship, Rahmonov noted that compared to 1995 a number of small enterprises in the republic reduced twice.  He ordered the Anti-Monopoly Committee in cooperation with the Ministry of State Revenues and Tax Collections and local authorities in the provinces to study a mechanism of development of entrepreneurship in the cities and districts and take adequate measure for implementation of it.  

The president also pointed out unequal distribution of loans in the country.  “Gorno Badakhshan and districts subordinate to the center account for 87 percent of loans, while mountain districts of Khatlon and Sughd provinces for 6 percent and 7 percent respectively,” Rahmonov noted, ordering the Ministry of Economy, National Bank, Anti-Monopoly Committee and commercial banks to take measures to provide entrepreneurs with loans and ensure effective work of the loans.  

Rahmonov also pointed to the necessity of removing obstacles in the way of activity of foreign banks in Tajikistan.  “At present, 41 investment projects for a total amount of more than 1.95 billion Somonis are being implemented in the republic,” said the president, “Last year alone, more than 330 million Somonis were spent for implementation of these projects and 191 social facilities were put into operation in the republic.” 

            On the development of agrarian sector, Rahmonov noted that during last year, a total debt of the cotton-growing farms to investors increased by some 58 million U.S. dollars and as of January 1 2006 it has amounted to some 280 million U.S. dollars.   “A serious situation with debts is in farming units in Bokhtar, Vakhsh, Jilikul, Kolkhozobod, Qumsangir, Jomi, Yovon, Vose, Farkhor, Asht, Bobojonghafurov, Jabborrasulov, Zafarobod and Mastchoh districts,” Rahmonov noted.  

            The Ministry of Agriculture is to take adequate measures to increase potatoes yields in Tajikistan to 20 tons/ha.  The ministry was also charged to enhance gardening and bee-keeping in the republic.  

Last year, Tajikistan produced 1,526 tons of honey, which is twice as big compared to 2004, while only 31 tons of honey were exported.  

This year, it is planned to provide 200,000 Somonis for development of bee-keeping in the country.