DUSHANBE, February 2, 2016, Asia-Plus – Dushanbe authorities are reportedly taking efforts to curb prices for basic food products.

“Despite the fall in the exchange rate of the Tajik national currency, the somoni, against the dollar and ongoing crisis in the countries, which are the main trading partners of Tajikistan, prices for basic food products at Dushanbe’s bazaars remain relatively stable,” Sayfullo Amonov, the head of the Dushanbe economic development and trade department, told Asia-Plus in an interview.     

According to him, prices for 12 of 31 types of food products, primarily domestic food products, being sold at local markets have fallen 34 percent since January 1.

Meanwhile, prices for19 types of imported food products have risen 48 percent over the report period.  

“For example, prices for imported wheat flour and wheat have increased,” said Amonov.  “Prices for tea have also increased as customs duty for tea has been raised.”

He further added that the mayor’s office planned to provide interest-free loans to the city’s bazaars for the six- and nine-month periods for the purpose of preventing rise in prices for basic food products such as wheat flour, sugar, vegetable oil and other products imported into Tajikistan from other countries.