Sharif Rakhimzoda, chairman of the National Bank of Tajikistan, said the country's foreign debt accounted for 27% of gross domestic product as of April 1, 2008.

Tajikistan's gold and foreign currency reserves increased from $280 million to $363 million in the reporting period, Rakhimzoda said.

Inflation in the first quarter of 2008 dropped to 1.8% from 2.2% in the same period last year. Consumer price growth is expected to reach 12-13% by the end of the year, Rakhimzoda said.