DUSHANBE, January 13, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- The Ministry of Finance (MoF) provided the adjusted country’s external debt data Monday afternoon.

According to these data, as of January 1, 2009, Tajikistan’s external debt has amounted to 1.3714 billion US dollars, estimated at 26.7 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The ministry noted that the external debt nominally increased by 254.5 million US dollars in the year to January 1, 2009.  As of January 1, 2008, the country’s foreign debt amounted to 1.1199 billion US dollars, estimated at 30.2 percent of GDP.

The ministry attributed the debt increase to newly attracted loans.  These loans were provided by international financial institutions and China Exim (export/import) Bank.  The servicing and repayment of the foreign debt, including loans provided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), accounted for $89.4 million last year, including $72.2 million on the principal debt and $17.1 million in interest.  The servicing and repayment of the direct state debt amounted to $56.5 million, the ministry said.