DUSHANBE, October 16, Asia-Plus -- At present more than 50 large national investment projects totaling 4.617 billion somonis (US$1.358 billion) are being implemented in Tajikistan, presidential press service reported.  

According to the source, foreign investments account for 89.6 percent of this amount.  More than 475 million somonis (US$140 million) have been provided in a form of grants and contribution of the country’s government to the implementation of these projects is more than 346 million somonis (US$102 million). 

“These figures are evidence of improvement of an investment climate in the republic,” said the source, “Due to an efficient economic and investment policy of the government a number of projects being implemented this year has doubled compared to last year.”

The source noted that the being implemented projects have targeted fields such as education, healthcare, agrarian sector, water supply, energy, road building, enhancement of environmental protection, emergencies, municipal economy, etc.  

The source noted that a progress of the implementation of those projects was a major topic of a meeting with participation of senior representatives from president’s office and heads of ministries and organizations presided over by President Emomali Rahmonov on October 13.

“Telling the meeting, Rahmonov noted that establishment of sustainable relationships of the government with international finance institutions and foreign countries had promoted carrying out economic reforms and realization of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper and joint programs,” the source stressed. 

At the same time, the head of state drew attention of those present to problems facing the implementation of investment projects.  Rahmonov, in particular, assessed spending of the attracted investment funds as “unsatisfactory,” according to the source.  He demanded at the meeting that all problems facing the targeted use of funds should be resolved and an opportune and efficient implementation of the projects should be provided.