DUSHANBE, February 10, 2014, Asia-Plus -- Tajik authorities reportedly earmark more than 30 million somoni for entrepreneurship lending this year.

A source at the State Committee on Investments and State-owned Property Management (GosKomInvest) says the Entrepreneurship Support Fund was established in Tajikistan last year by president’s order.

“Within a short space of time, the Fund received loan applications from many entrepreneurs and by a decision of the Fund Supervisors Board the Fund last year provided 22 million somoni in loans to 21 economic entities,” the source said.

This year, the Fund reportedly projects more than 30 million somoni to support development of entrepreneurship in the country.  “Preference will be given to representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises from mountain areas,” the source added.

According to the statistical data from GosKomInvest, the private sector last year accounted for some 49 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).  Last year, Tajik entrepreneurs reportedly built 838 various facilities that created more than 11,000 new jobs.