DUSHANBE, June 25, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- On Wednesday June 24, President Emomali Rahmon, who is currently on his working visit to the northern Sughd province, met with residents of the Shahriston district, according to presidential press service.

The president congratulated them on the 12th anniversary of signing of the General Peace Agreement.  Speaking to the district residents, Rahmon noted that some 14 million somoni had been provided by the country’s financial institutions over the past two years for development of Shahriston’s economy.  Over the first four months of this year, another 6 million somoni have been provided.

The president expressed satisfaction with the pace of development of the district’s agrarian sector, noting that potatoes production increased in Shahriston district from 2,400 tons in 1998 to 20,000 tons in 2008.  He also pointed to the further development of livestock farming in Shahriston.