DUSHANBE, October 12, 2010, Asia-Plus – Tajikistan has banned the export of livestock, meats, potatoes, wools and metals, according to presidential press service.

The decision on putting ban on the export of livestock, meats, potatoes and metals was made at the government session that took place on October 11.  The meeting was presided over by President Emomali Rahmon and its participants included heads of ministries, organizations and enterprises as well as senior representatives from president’s office.

The ban was reportedly introduced for the purpose of ensuring growth in domestic production and regulation of prices in the country’s food market.

The meeting reviewed the results of work carried out overt the first nine months of this year and preparations for autumn-winter 2010-2011.

Minister of Economic Development and Trade Farrukh Hamraliyev noted that gross domestic product (GDP) rose 6 percent in nine months to October 1, 2010 and inflation for January-September stood at 6.7 percent.  Production of industrial goods and gross agricultural product has increased over the report period by 10.6 and 7.1 percent respectively.

The First Deputy Prime Minister, Asadullo Ghulomov, reported on the implementation of government’s resolution on preparations for autumn-winter 2010-2011.

The session also discussed issues related to the construction of small hydropower plants in the country.

As far as the ban on the export of farm produce and metals is concerned, we ill recall that Khatlon authorities in August banned the export of grain and potatoes to Afghanistan and Uzbekistan until spring 2011.  They said the decision had been taken after Russia had placed a ban on grain exports, which affected Tajikistan''s grain stocks.