DUHANBE, October 1, 2010, Asia-Plus  - The government session that took place on September 30 considered and endorsed a bill on the national budget for 2011, according to presidential press service.

Gross domestic product (GDP) for 2010 is estimated at 30.2 billion somoni and the draft budget for 2011 stands at 8.3 billion somoni, which is 1.755 billion somoni more than the budget for this year.

Social spending will account for nearly 50 percent (4.1 billion somoni) of budget allocations, which is 31.2 percent, or 857.6 million somoni, more than social spending of the 2010 budget.

Annual product growth rate is projected at 6.5 percent and inflation is predicted to end 2011 at 9 percent.  Deflator index is expected to stand at 12 percent.

The minister of land reclamation and water resources reported on state of river bank protection works in the country and additional measures taken to protect population and economic facilities against floods.  He, in particular, noted that there were 947 rivers and 276 small rivers in the country.

The government endorsed a resolution on development of the national river bank reinforcement program for 2011-2015.  The program is to be developed within the tree months and submitted for consideration to the government.

The session also approved the national investment, grant and capital construction program for 2011-2013 and the national teachers’ training program designed for 2011-2016.         

The national investment, grant and capital construction program stipulates attraction of 15.4 billion U.S. dollars for implementation 94 investment projects in the country during three years.

By government’s decision Dushanbe will host an international conference entitled “Development of Transit Opportunities of Central Asia for the Period till 2020” in October 2011, presidential press service said.

The session also endorsed municipal redevelopment plans for the city of Khujand, administrative center of Sughd province and the Somoniyon settlement, administrative center of of Roudaki district.

The government also decided to exempt Murgab district in Gorno Badakhshan from paying tax on delivery of 6,500 tons of coal from outside the country.

The session endorsed bills on amendments to the penal, tax and administrative codes and a number of laws.

By government’s resolution 3,802 hectares have been allotted for homestead lands to needy families in Kulob, Roudaki, Vose, Danghara, Bokhtar, Rumi, Qubodiyon, Shahritus, Vanj and Ayni.