DUSHANBE, August 28, Asia-Plus -- The National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT) is raising the rate of refinancing from 8.5 percent to nine percent.

The source in Tajik central bank has told Asia-Plus that over the first seven months of this year, Tajikistan has undertaken efforts to smooth domestic prices and inflation that has been at the rate of 7.5 percent.  

The source noted that misbalance of production and domestic demand, increase in seasonal state expenditures and instability of prices on the world market would impact the inflation rates in Tajikistan.  In this connection, the NBT is strengthening a monetary policy and raising the rate of refinancing up to 9 percent. 

According to experts, imported goods dominate in the majority segments of Tajikistan’s consumer market that has led to negative trade balance in January-July 2006.

This deficiency is one of key factors contributing to decrease in exchange rate of national currency.  The exchange rate of Somoni to USD has decreased by 4.8 percent since the beginning of the year.