Tajikistan to allocate over $125.4 million from state budget for external debt
By Kamila Aliyeva
More than 1.1 billion somoni (more than $125.4 million) is planned to be allocated from the state budget of Tajikistan for servicing the main external debt next year.
Financing of repayment of the country’s main external debt is determined in the amount of 1.6 percent of the GDP, or more than 1.1 billion somoni, according to the Tajik Finance Ministry.
Meanwhile, the government intends to attract external borrowing in the amount of about $850 million in the next three years, according to the Program of State External Borrowings of Tajikistan for the period of 2018-2020 approved by the lower house of parliament on November 15.
In particular, $196.5 million is planned to be attracted in 2018, $295.9 million in 2019 and $354.7 million in 2020.
The total amount of Tajikistan's external debt as of October 1, 2017 amounted to more than $2.8 billion, according to the ministry. Tajikistan borrowed most of these funds from the Chinese Export-Import Bank. There are also relatively large debts to the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the IMF.
At the same time, more than 5.8 billion somoni is planned to be allocated for the development of the real sector of Tajikistan's economy next year.
The largest part will be allocated for the development of the fuel and energy complex, as well as transport and communications.
The amount of financing of the fuel and energy complex in the budget for the next year is set at more than 348.3 million somoni. This indicator for the transport and communication sector will amount to more than 1.4 billion somoni.
These funds are also intended for the implementation of investment projects, including construction and reconstruction of roads and bridges, as well as hydroelectric facilities.
In the next year's budget, it is planned to allocate more than 676 million somoni for the development of the agriculture, fishing and hunting industry. This figure for industry and construction will make more than 132.3 million.
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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva
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