DUSHANBE, January 21, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- In 2011, the Tajik national currency, the somoni, fell 8.1 percent against the dollar, according to the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT).

The source says external factors led to the somoni’s weakening against the dollar.  “Changes in the international prices of oil products, grains and wheat have caused the situation,” said he, “Rise in the international prices for wheat, flour and oil products prices has led to considerable increase in demand for the foreign currency in domestic market. Compared to 2010 the demand for the foreign currency doubled last year.”

Referring to the statistical data of the World Bank, the source noted that compared to 2010 wheat and petroleum prices in world markets last year rose 40.7 and 39.3 percent respectively.