DUSHANBE, January 31, 2014, Asia-Plus -- In 2013, Tajik banks provided 8.9 billion somoni (equivalent to 1.8 billion USD) in loans, which was 26.4 percent more than in 2012, according to the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT).

Tajik central bank notes that the volume of the paid loans has amounted to 6.7 billion somoni.

The weighted average interest rate for loans provided in the national currency was 23.9 percent (3.4 percent increase when compared to 2012) and the weighted average interest rate for loans provided in foreign currencies was 23.5 percent (0.7 percent decrease when compared to 2012).

The volume of small loans reportedly rose 50 percent in a year to December 31, 2013, reaching 4.7 percent.

According to Tajik central bank, 143 credit organizations, including 16 banks, 37 microloan deposit organizations, 44 microloan organizations and 46 microloan funds now function in Tajikistan.