Residents of Tajikistan and members of the country’s parliament heard on December 23 one of the most encouraging messages of the president following the results of the outgoing 2022
DUSHANBE — Sputnik reports. President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon addressed the country’s parliament on the eve of the new year, 2023.
Traditionally, deputies, heads of regions and governments, the country’s elite, as well as the public listened to the president’s speech live on all state channels and radio stations, which lasted 2.5 hours.
This is one of Rahmon’s longest speeches to the government and citizens.
The President stopped several times during the address, retreated from the speech and made important remarks and observations in his characteristic manner outside of the prepared text.
In general, as expected, the Tajik leader spoke about the economy, social development, social support of the population, directions of domestic and foreign policy.
Sputnik Tajikistan collected the most fundamental moments of the president’s speech from the ceremonial hall of the capital’s Kohi Somon Palace.
Tajikistan’s Economic Leap
Rakhmon’s message was especially devoted to the economic agenda. Thus, according to him, inflation in the consumer sector of Tajikistan amounted to 4.2%, and this is the best indicator in the CIS.
Separately, the President noted the pace of industrial development and the emergence of new enterprises.
For comparison, he cited the following figures: if in 1991 there were 359 industrial facilities in Tajikistan, where no more than 33 thousand workers worked, then in 2022 the number of enterprises in the republic reached 2.5 thousand, and 85 thousand jobs.
This year, more than 500 industrial workshops and enterprises with 6 thousand jobs have started operating, which contributed to an increase in the volume of industrial production to 43 billion somoni.
But we should not stop there, Rahmon stressed.
There is still a huge potential for industrial development in Tajikistan. Especially if this sector develops in the interests of the agricultural sector – one of the strongest areas of the national economy.
Rahmon instructed to develop the concept of national defense in Tajikistan
This is most important against the background of a possible food crisis, mutual and sudden restrictions on the part of the world’s main suppliers.
“In the conditions of sanctions, when countries are isolated, not allowed to export goods, we must give freedom to entrepreneurship and help businessmen,” Rahmon stressed.
In particular, he called for improving the licensing system and reducing the number of business permits by 60%.
The president also criticized the local authorities, who “because of selfish motives pulled the rubber” with the allocation of land to entrepreneurs for the construction of significant social facilities.
As for the agro-industry, the Tajik leader instructed to build 3 enterprises for the production of vegetable oil, because at the moment the country provides itself with this product by only 20%.
The president did not bypass the energy sector in his address either.
According to Rahmon, 3.2 billion somoni were allocated for the construction of the Rogun HPP in 2022. However, the head of state stressed that it is not enough just to produce energy – it is also important to reduce costs by reducing electricity losses to 9% from the current 20% by 2025.
Salaries, scholarships and pensions will increase in Tajikistan
He recalled that Tajikistan is one of the states with huge resources for the production of environmentally friendly electricity.
“Currently, 98% of electricity is produced at hydroelectric power plants and according to this indicator, that is, the percentage of green energy production, our country ranks 6th in the world,” the president noted.
Thanks to this, it is possible to reduce the country’s demand for petroleum products and thus promote environmental protection and improve the environmental situation in the country.
As for the natural resources of Tajikistan, or rather mining, the President instructed to build 4 enterprises for processing precious metals and stones in Dushanbe starting next year.
It is especially necessary to pay attention to antimony, the demand for which is growing every year and the country occupies one of the leading places in the world in terms of its reserves.
In total, in the next 3 years, 30 technology parks should be built in the country, which are necessary for business development and investment attraction.
Technoparks and precious metals: Tajikistan’s industrial plans announced
There were also notable tax breaks in the country. By this time, 120 benefits and privileges have been granted, 5 types of taxes have been canceled. This gave an impetus to the development of entrepreneurship. Today there are already 339 thousand objects in this area.
In terms of investments, more than 152 billion somoni of foreign capital has been attracted over the past 20 years, including 60 billion somoni of direct investments.
Social development of Tajikistan: yesterday and tomorrow
The head of the republic said that over the past 5 years, the level of well-being of the people has increased – the poverty rate has decreased to 22.5% against 27.4%.
14.7 billion somoni were allocated from the budget for social spheres, 36 billion somoni for education and healthcare.
The monetary incomes of the population increased 2.1 times – from 41.1 billion somoni (2018) to 87 billion in 2022. The average salary has increased 1.5 times, and pensions – 1.3 times.
6.3 billion somoni has been allocated from the state budget for education in 2022. More than 3.4 thousand educational institutions have been built in 31 years.
Rahmon announced new support for the business sector
4.3 billion somoni were allocated to support social protection institutions in 2022. The President promised that next year will not be an exception.
For 475 thousand people in need of different ages in 2023, one-time assistance will be paid – 600 somoni. In total, 285 million somoni will be allocated for this.
Salaries in 2023 will also increase by 20 and 25%, and pensions – by 20%.
In addition, Rahmon said that the total monetary income of the population will increase by 15% and reach 100 billion somoni.
“A favorable legislative framework has been created to maintain accelerated economic development, ensure financial stability, increase revenues and improve budget efficiency,” he noted.
In the medical sector, the President announced successes in the pharmaceutical industry, which is also developing successfully, but there are still many untapped opportunities in this direction.
The production of 540 types of medicines has been established in the country and the volume of production of the sphere has increased 3 times in just a year. In addition, healthcare facilities have grown 2 times over this period, to 79 thousand people.
Speaking about the transport sector, Rahmon noted that over the past 5 years, projects worth 5.1 billion somoni have been implemented to turn Tajikistan into a transit country, 250 km of highways, 42 bridges, 4 tunnels and several overpasses have been created.
According to the road quality rating, the republic managed to consistently take the 50th place among 138 countries.
The level of poverty has decreased in Tajikistan
The president did not ignore the food security of the country. In 2022, grain production was increased to 1.6 million tons, potatoes – up to 1 million, vegetables and fruits – up to 3.2 million tons.
Using figures, Emomali Rahmon discussed the issue of national security, as well as the upbringing of the younger generation in accordance with the cultural traditions of the country.
He also spoke about the position and role of women in society, their active participation in the state structure.
Vector of Tajikistan’s foreign policy
Rahmon noted that relations with strategic and traditional partners are an important direction.
“Along with this, we will continue our efforts to ensure sustainable development, strengthen the spirit of good neighborliness, trust and unbreakable friendship in the Central Asian region,” the President stressed.
He assured that Tajikistan, as an active member, will continue to cooperate with international partners, including within the framework of the CIS, SCO, CSTO, UN and other multilateral structures.
In addition, the Republic intends to make a worthy contribution to solving such problems of the international community as the fight against terrorism, arms and drug smuggling, and cybercrime.
Rahmon’s annual message to the Parliament of Tajikistan: video
Rahmon stressed that the state stands for solving international problems and regional conflicts through dialogue in any issues.
