DUSHANBE, July 8, 2008, Asia-Plus  - Issues related to preparations for a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the 1500th anniversary of founder of the Tajik-Persian classical literature Abu Abdulloh Roudaki, the Year Tajik Language, and the 17th anniversary of Tajikistan’s Independence were considered at a July 7 government meeting, presided by President Emomali Rahmon, presidential press service said.  

The meeting also discussed a progress of implementation of president’s appeal to the government and the people over providing food security, acceleration of grain-harvesting campaign, as well as preparations for summing up Tajikistan’s economic results in January-June 2008 and preparations for the winter.

During the meeting, it was noted that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose 5.8 percent in six months to July 1, 2008.  The national budget for January-June has been overfulfilled by 17.2 percent, reaching 1.655 billion somonis, which is 243 million somonis more than it was originally planned and 573 million somonis more than in the same period of last year.

Speaking at the meeting, President Rahmon noted that 25 small hydropower plants will be built and introduced into commission before the end of this year, which of significant importance for providing rural population with electrical power during winter months. .