DUSHANBE , March 17, Asia-Plus - Despite the fact that in late 2005 – early 2006 rate of economic growth in Tajikistan decreased, there are obvious signs of economic activity in the country.

Mr. Carlos Pinerua, head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission to Tajikistan , remarked this at a news conference in Dushanbe yesterday commenting on a state of macroeconomic indices and decrease in growth of the gross domestic product (GDP) in Tajikistan .  

“One of indices used for measuring a level of economic activity is collection of taxes,” said Mr. Pinerua, “And actually, collection of taxes in Tajikistan exceeds the targets stipulated by the budget.”  

The IMF mission head also noted that representatives from the Fund had coordinated with the Tajik government targeted index of economic growth for 2006, which should make 8 percent.  “And we consider this index to be quite accessible,” Mr. Pinerua said.  

Carlos Pinerua stressed that remittances from labor migrant continued playing an important role in Tajikistan ’s economy.   

“In the new program we aim to provide development and prosperity of other forms of economic activity, including inflow of foreign investments,” Pinerua said, adding it has already been implemented in the energy and services sectors.   “We have also tried to focus on the fields that were not so impressive, in particular the fields of enhancement of investment climate in the private sector, strengthening of tax administering and public expenses system.” 

Mr. Pinerua also noted that under the implementation of the programs they would conduct surveys twice a year for the purpose of familiarizing themselves with indices of its implementation. 

Following these surveys the program will cover as far as possible those areas where problems exist and efforts will be taken to resolve these problems, according to him.