26.04.2010

Brief macroeconomic review and results of activity of banking system of Tajikistan for the first quarter of 2010

The results of activity of the National Bank of Tajikistan and banking system of the country for the first quarter of 2010, course of implementation of monetary policy, inflation’s rate, exchange rate of national currency, volume of remittances, development of banking system, deposits and other actual issues have been discussed at the next press-conference of the National Bank of Tajikistan, held on April 26, 2010 in the republican press-centre for domestic and foreign journalists.  Addressing to journalists, the Chairman of the National Bank of Tajikistan Sh.Rahimzoda has noted that for the first quarter of 2010 a stable growth of national economy and its banking system was observed, which basic indicators are characterized as follows:  Macroeconomic Indicators  Gross Domestic Product (GDP). For the reporting period the GDP increased to 6,8 % and reached TJS 3,9 billion that is more for 3,3% in compare to the similar period of last year.  Inflation. The rate of inflation for this period made 1,6 %. The projection of inflation for current year made at level to 9,0 %.  Exchange Rate of Somoni in relation to US dollar has become stronger at 0,09 % against the beginning of the year.  Trading Balance. The foreign trade turnover for the reporting period made USD 793,9 million and decreased by 0,9 % against the first quarter of last year, in particular: export has increased to 45,0 %, having reached USD 252,8 million and import has decreased to 13,7 %, having made USD 541,1 million. The deficit of trading balance concerning the first quarter of last year has decreased for 36,3 % having made USD 288,3 million.  Remittances. The amount of remittances for this period increased to 5,6 % in comparison with the first quarter of last year.  Despite risks and changes in the world market, a macroeconomic situation in the country has reflected a tendency of stable growth of volumes of remittances.  2. Monetary Policy  Currently the refinancing rate is set at level of 8,0 %. The required reserves ratio makes for deposits in national and foreign currencies - 7,0 % and 9,0 % accordingly.  The total balances of gold and foreign exchange reserves for the first quarter of 2010 increased to 9,8 % against the beginning of the year having reached USD 385,8 million.  The amount of reserve money as of March 31 of current year made TJS 2,2 billion having increased to 33,8 % (TJS 562,5 million) in compare to the similar period of last year. The volume of cash in circulation has made TJS 1,9 billion, TJS 19,0 million of which consists of metal coins.  For the reporting period the money put into circulation made TJS 61,0 million and TJS 99,9 million of shabby and unsuitable banknotes have been withdrawn from circulation.  3. Development of Banking System  The quantity of banking institutions for the reporting period reached 137 units, including 14 banks, 7 non-bank credit institutions, 31 deposit micro-credit institutions, 42 micro-credit institutions, 43 micro-lending funds.  As a whole, despite the influence of world financial and economic crisis the banking system has had an opportunity to achieve a considerable growth of banking aggregates.  Deposits. For this period the increase of deposits in compare to the first quarter of last year has made 31,5 %, and has reached TJS 2,6 billion. Deposits of individuals have increased to 43,0 % and made TJS 1,1 bullion. The average interest rate of time deposits in national currency has made 17,3 %, in foreign currency it made 16,1 %. The average interest rate of time deposits has increased to 1,2% in comparison with the first quarter of last year.  Credits. The total balance of credits for the reporting period increased to 12,6 % and reached TJS 5,6 billion, 69,6 % of which consisted of credits in national currency and rest 30,4% - credits in foreign currency. The volume of extended credits for this period made TJS 1,0 billion, that is more for 4,4 % against the first quarter of previous year.  According to recent data the average maturity of credits for the first quarter of current year for individuals makes 348 days, for legal entities-263 days. The average interest rate of credits, which extended in national currency makes 24,6 %, in foreign currency - 24,8 %.  During the first quarter of current year the volume of small credits increased to 5,8 % having made TJS 410,7 million.  Payments System. The total quantity of payments on the republic has increased to 3,9 % and has reached 2,4 million units. The total amount of payments has made TJS 25,9 billion that is more for 73,9 % against the first quarter of previous year.  There are 8 banks operating in the republic, which are emitters of plastic cards, they released 69050 units of payment cards, its increase makes 16,6 %. Besides, for the reporting period it was observed a considerable increase of quantity of ATM in comparison with the first quarter of last year that reached to 173 units, cash issuing offices - 151 units and points-of-sale – 89 units.  During the meeting, which lasted more than one hour, foreign and local journalists have received precise answers to their questions. In their questions representatives of mass media were interested basically in problems of banking system, inflation’s rate, increase of amount of shabby banknotes in circulation, volume of gold and foreign exchange reserves of the country, attraction of foreign investments to economy of the republic and incoming remittances from labour migrants.  Press-Center NBT