Today, President of the country Emomali Rahmon delivered his annual address to the Parliament of the republic on main directions of internal and foreign policies of Tajikistan during the fourth joint session of Majlisi milli and Majlisi namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan (fourth convocation), which was held in State Complex “Kokhi Vahdat”.

In total 1300 people have gathered in the big assembly hall, including the leadership of the parliament, prime minister and members of the Government, state advisors of the President, officials of presidential executive office, heads of ministries and state committees, departments under head of state and government, central court organs and other institutions of law enforcement, Academy of Sciences, higher education institutions, chairmen of regions, cities and districts, centers of implementation of investment projects, members of Public Council, Movement of “National Unity and Revival of Tajikistan”, and representatives of a number of social, political and creative unions, leaders of enterprises and institutions of the republic, banks, active authoritative private companies, diplomatic corps, mass media and others.

President Emomali Rahmon at first thoroughly analyzed and reviewed indicators of socio-economic development of the country in 7 recent years and stated that despite negative influence of the world financial and economic crisis, economic progress of the country reached 7 %, inflation rate was reduced from 19% to 6,4%. It was mentioned that the gross domestic product increased from 9,3 billion TJS in 2006 to 36,2 billion TJS in 2012, thus per capita it increased from 1335 to 4580 TJS or 3,4 times. Monetary revenues of the population increased for 4,2 times, the volume of savings for 4 times, and average real salary of every worker for 5 times.

The total volume of revenues and expenses of the state budget in 7 recent years increased from 1,7 billion TJS to 12,2 billion TJS in 2013 that is for over 7 times more compared to indicators of 2006. In comparison to 2000, this indicator accounts for 226 million TJS and makes up 54-fold increase.

Despite all these achievements, head of state Emomali Rahmon stated that “all these results cannot satisfy us totally” and in order to reach better results and indicators the officials were given specific tasks. It was in particular instructed to increase salaries, pensions and student scholarships.

Much attention was paid to the establishment of new industrial enterprises, rehabilitation of existing resources and potentials, fruitful use of lands, gathering two or more crops from irrigable lands, creation of new jobs and in total enhancement of living standards of population.

As it was highlighted, during the recent 7 years 1600 new industrial enterprises have been put into operation in the republic, thus creating 50 thousand new jobs.

With reference to adoption and implementation of a new Tax Code, in accordance with which the types of taxes was reduced from 24 to 10, as well as other simplifications and facilitations made for support of private businessmen and investors, decisive continuation of this process was considered necessary.

With reference to abundant opportunities in attraction of more tourists, taking of effective measures for construction of necessary infrastructure and creation of favorable atmosphere was considered vital.

During the review of problems and barriers in energy sphere of the country, head of state Emomali Rahmon named the electricity shortage, which is felt in Tajikistan annually during 6 months, as a main barrier of attraction of direct foreign investments and in general an obstacle for economic development.

It was noted with satisfaction that last year upon opening of Shahriston tunnel Tajikistan overcame its domestic transport deadlock and turned into a single, integrated country from the point of view of communication.

With regard to the development of social spheres, including education, health and social protection of population there were voiced interesting statistical data. It was in particular informed that in recent 7 years more than one thousand new schools have been constructed and commissioned in the country.

Head of state Emomali Rahmon expressed gratitude to generous people, who regularly support orphans, homeless children, needy families and other indigent strata of population, as well as stressed that “this kind of people should be subject to regular care of relevant public structures and generous people”.

During the review of main directions of foreign policy of the country, it was highlighted that Tajikistan will continue its strategy of “open doors” and cooperate with all countries of the world. Protection of independence, national statehood and mentality, stability, security and progress of the country were named among the most important task of domestic and foreign policies of Tajikistan.