Footnote:
Europe and Central Asia
Tajikistan
English
en_US
Description:
Tajikistan's economy grew at higher-than-projected rate of 7.4 percent in 2013 on the back of record high inflow of remittances. High remittances fueled private consumption and investment. Meanwhile, weaker external demand and lower prices for aluminum and cotton adversely affected exports and resulted in a widening of the current account deficit. Inflation was reduced to a record low because of the limited increase in food prices and stable exchange rate. The fiscal deficit widened because of higher investment expenditures and a reduction in nontax revenues. The overall fiscal picture is likely to be different than official statistics suggests because of soft budget constraints on state-owned enterprises, continued directed lending by banks, and other quasi-fiscal risks. The economy remains vulnerable to shocks, and the fiscal and debt position remains weak because of the country's remittance-driven growth model, narrow export base, high dependence on concessional financing, and large infrastructure. In addition, amortization of existing foreign debt is increasing sharply. Real wage growth in excess of productivity growth further deteriorated the country competitiveness. Weak governance and financial sector accountability and the poor business climate hold back development in the financial sector and in the government debt market. The government is aiming for at least 7.5 percent growth in the medium term as well as a reduction in the poverty headcount to 30 percent by 2015 and further to 20 percent by 2020. In order to meet these objectives, the government needs to accelerate reforms aimed at improving the institutional environment for private-sector-led growth and job creation. Future growth and poverty reduction will depend on its success in overcoming the binding constraints to diversified development and in reducing the costs and increasing the profitability of potential private investments