DUSHANBE, April 23, Asia-Plus  -- According to the preliminary data, as of April 1, 2008, Tajikistan’s foreign debt has amounted to 1.223 billion US dollars, the first Deputy Finance Minister, Sherali Safarov, told a press conference in Dushanbe on April 23.  

According to him, the country’s foreign debt is currently estimated at 27 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). 

Over the first three months of this, the national budget has earmarked $17 million for foreign debt service.  $16.8 million have been allocated to repay the debt, and $1.3 million have been provided to repay the debt interest.