DUSHANBE, 29.03.2022 (NIAT Khovar) – “We must accelerate the pace of the country’s self-sufficiency for the production of basic products. These are, first of all, cereals and vegetable crops. It is time to raise the issue of producing more than half of the sugar consumed at home. We have opportunities, natural and technical resources for sugar production. It is necessary to place special emphasis on the diversification of the national economy, agriculture and to maximize the entire productive potential of the country,” says the Chairman of the Economic Reform Party of Tajikistan, Deputy of the Assembly of Representatives Rustam Rahmatzoda.

According to him, today the Government of Tajikistan and entrepreneurs need to take advantage of the current economic situation in the world, develop a special program, diversify the economy and start producing products that are in demand in Russia.

“That is, now to establish the export of Tajik goods that can replace those that fell under sanctions and are not currently imported to Russia. This will ensure the stable growth of the Tajik economy,” he addded.

Tajikistan is pursuing a peace-loving, open door policy that strengthens the economy and leads to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Of course, the global financial crisis will, in any case, negatively affect the economy of Tajikistan, -the country’s leadership is ready for this, because almost every year we import grain, flour and sugar in large quantities from other countries. Rising food prices in other countries have a negative impact on price growth in our country as well. In my opinion, the targets that we have in the agro-industrial complex, in the National Development Strategy until 2030, will allow us to provide the country with basic food products in the coming years and be less dependent on imports,” the expert empgasizes.

“In the future, we must keep the level of the dollar against the national currency stable so that it does not negatively affect the rise in prices and goods. It is necessary to find mechanisms to maintain a stable exchange rate for at least a few years, and then it will be clear what to do, what measures to take. This is a global crisis and we will successfully cope with it, because today we produce many essential goods ourselves,” Rahmatzoda adds.

The Government of Tajikistan has already adopted an Action Plan to prevent the impact of potential risks on the national economy. After the introduction of a package of economic sanctions by Western countries against some major trading partners, the Interdepartmental Commission of Tajikistan was created to prevent the impact of potential risks on the national economy, and it held some meetings with the participation of heads of ministries and departments, domestic producers, associations of producers and importers of grain and oil products, essential products, representatives of the private sector and development partners. Taking into account their opinions and recommendations, an action plan was drawn up.

The plan of anti-crisis measures is aimed at providing consumer markets with essential products, including flour, butter, meat, sugar, eggs, vegetables, increasing their production and stocks, preventing unreasonable price increases, supporting vulnerable segments of the population, labor migrants and entrepreneurs, ensuring timely implementation of social obligations of the state, prevention of potential risks for the banking system, reduction of foreign exchange pressure, forecasting low-interest loans for industrial entrepreneurs, improvement of the investment climate, and postponing non-tax audits.

It also includes attracting additional financial assistance and other measures.