DUSHANBE, April 21, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- President Emomali Rahmon held a working meeting on April 20 to discuss issues related to implementation of the national budget during the first quarter of the year, spring sowing campaign, ensuring food security and preparations for the 20th anniversary of the country’s independence.

According to the presidential press service, the meeting participants included heads of ministries and chairpersons of cities and districts.

Speaking at the meeting, the president noted that gross domestic product (GDP) has risen 6.5 percent over the first three months of the year.

In January-March this year, 1.472 billion somoni have been remitted to the national budget, which is 500 million somoni more than in the same period last year.

Over the first quarter of the year, the revenue part of the budget has been overfulfilled by 7 percent.  The expenditure part has also shown an upward tendency.