President Rahmon Chairs Cabinet Meeting, Reviews Strong Economic Performance
Dushanbe, The Gulf Observer: President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon chaired a meeting of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan on Monday to review the country’s socio-economic performance during the first half of 2026 and outline priorities for the remainder of the year, with a strong focus on maintaining macroeconomic stability, accelerating digital transformation, and strengthening domestic production.
Opening the meeting, President Rahmon highlighted the uncertain global economic and political environment, stressing that safeguarding macroeconomic stability, ensuring economic security, mitigating potential external risks, and making full use of domestic resources remain the government’s top priorities.
He underscored the need to increase the country’s level of self-sufficiency, gradually reduce dependence on imported goods, and promote domestic production through the efficient use of intellectual and natural resources.
Despite adverse global and regional developments, the President noted that Tajikistan maintained positive economic growth during the first six months of 2026 through the consistent implementation of reforms, support for productive entrepreneurship, digitalization, rapid industrialization, and sustained progress in the agricultural sector.
According to the government’s report, Tajikistan’s economy expanded by 8.2 percent during the January–June 2026 period, with the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reaching 81.7 billion somoni.
The growth was driven by strong performances across key sectors, including industrial production, which increased by 14.1 percent, agriculture by 7.2 percent, investment in fixed capital by 18.4 percent, freight transportation by 14.7 percent, trade turnover by 26.1 percent, passenger transportation by 8 percent, and paid services by 10.6 percent.
President Rahmon also noted that inflation remained under control at 2.4 percent during the reporting period.
He further announced that state budget revenues exceeded expectations, with the revenue plan fulfilled at 114.3 percent, generating 36.4 billion somoni in budget revenues during the first half of the year.
Heads of relevant ministries and government agencies presented detailed reports on the country’s socio-economic performance and outlined measures planned for the second half of 2026.
President Rahmon instructed regional and local executive authorities, along with relevant ministries and agencies, to submit concrete proposals by the end of August on identifying additional sources of economic growth, particularly in the industrial, energy, and agricultural sectors, with the objective of maintaining GDP growth of at least 8 percent for the full year.
He also directed government institutions to accelerate the digitalization of the national economy and complete the implementation of an inter-agency electronic document management system.
Reviewing the domestic fuel market, the President ordered responsible authorities to take practical measures to stabilize fuel prices and expedite the import of petroleum products and liquefied gas to ensure a reliable supply.
The National Bank of Tajikistan was advised to intensify efforts to promote cashless transactions, expand digital banking infrastructure, and improve access to electronic payment systems nationwide, particularly in remote regions.
The Cabinet also reviewed Tajikistan’s macroeconomic forecast for 2027–2029, emphasizing that it had been prepared in line with the National Development Strategy to 2030 and state, sectoral, and regional socio-economic development programmes.
Relevant ministries were instructed to incorporate the macroeconomic forecast into future state budget planning and to promptly propose amendments if domestic or external economic conditions change.
During the meeting, the Government also approved the Professional Guidance Development Programme for 2026–2030 and the Development Programme of the Tajik Academy of Agricultural Sciences for 2026–2030.
Concluding the session, President Rahmon issued directives aimed at ensuring the timely and loss-free harvesting of crops, expanding double and triple cropping, improving the efficient use of land and water resources, increasing agricultural production, maintaining sufficient food reserves for at least two years in every household, strengthening public awareness campaigns, advancing national development and beautification projects, reducing technical and commercial losses, introducing a unified billing system, and ensuring full preparedness for the upcoming autumn and winter season.
The President also instructed relevant authorities to intensify preparations for the new academic year, improve the quality of education and healthcare services, and ensure comprehensive preparations for the celebration of the 35th anniversary of Tajikistan’s State Independence.
