DUSHANBE, October 29, Asia-Plus -- The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MoDT) offers 10% reduction in the value-added tax (VAT) on basic food products imported into the country, Deputy Economic Development and Trade Minister, Abdughaffor Rahmonov, announced at a news conference in Dushanbe on October 26.  

According to him, it will come to $20 million; however, it will be able to impact rising prices in the country and curb inflation, which stood at 12.4 percent for the last two months.

A special working commission has been set up at the ministry for studying domestic consumer market and it reports every ten days to the government, the deputy minister said. 

Rahmonov claims that “private entrepreneurs are to blame for the price hike; they have formed such situation artificially.”  

At present the ministry is coordinating its proposal on 10% reduction with the government and if it is endorsed it will be sent for consideration to the parliament.  

At present, the price for a 50-kilogram sack of wheat flour is 115 somonis and the price for one liter of cooking (cotton) oil has reached 8 somonis.