DUSHANBE, November 12, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- A regular sitting of the fifth session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) of the third convocation is held today to consider the draft national budget for 2009.  

Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov and Finance Minister Safarali Najmuddinov are expected to make speeches on this subject.  

As it had been reported earlier, the government considered and endorsed the draft budget for 2009 at a September 30 session.      

During the meeting, it was noted that the national budget for 2009 would stand at 6.008 billion somoni, which is 29 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and 1.5 billion somoni more than the 2008 national budget.  GDP is projected to rise 7.1 percent next year to 20.665 billion somoni, while Inflation rate is expected to be 13 percent.

Speaking at the meeting, the president noted that the state budget for 2009 reflects the economic development of the country and spending on development of real sector and construction of facilities of statewide importance, including power plants, power grids, industrial enterprises, as well as roads and tunnels, will account for more than 50 percent of budget allocations.  Rahmon added that the budget projects expenditure of 2.437 billion somoni in the social sector, including enhancement of education and health sectors and social protection of the population.