DUSHANBE, November 24, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- The country’s national budget for 2009 is based mainly on external borrowings, including loans and grants, and if to keep them back contribution of Tajikistan’s economy to the budget will be inconsiderable, known Tajik economist, Professor Hojimuhammad Umarov said in an interview with Asia-Plus.

According to him, such a budget will not promote development of economic or social sector of the country because it does not have enough funds.  “Inflation rate is increasing by leaps and bounds while the budget incomes are increasing inconsiderably,” the expert said.  

Umarov also noted that he did not understand government’s gracious attitude to the Tajik Aluminum Company (Talco).   “Tajik aluminum group has many productive, personnel and innovative opportunities to increase labor efficiency and thereby to increase its incomes,” said Umarov, “Therefore, I oppose granting any privileges for Talco.”

We will recall that Talco along with another 26 enterprises will work next year on preferential terms.  According to Umarov, this will allow Talco to save more than 2.5 billion somoni (equivalent to more than US$735 million) in 2009 and the budget’s revenue part will receive more than 2.5 billion somoni less respectively.