Tajikistan

Economic Overview

• Major Natural Resources - Coal, silver, antimony, and gold



• Major Industries - Light manufacturing, aluminum, chemicals, fertilizers, gold mining, power transformers and cables, and porcelain.



• Chief Agricultural Crops - Cotton, grains, grapes, and vegetables. Agriculture relies on irrigation, which extends over two-thirds of arable land.



• Convertibility – Currency conversion of the Tajik Somoni exists, but not on a stable basis. In 2000 the National Bank required all local commercial banks to conduct foreign exchange auctions by themselves.
  

Political System

This Parliamentary Republic is run by a Council of Ministers, a unicameral Parliament, and a President. The President serves as Chairman of Parliament, and appoints the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister selects the Council of Ministers, but the Council's power is weak.

History and Customs

Tajikistan has been settled since 3000 B.C. by a series of ethnic groups including Persians, Mongols, Uzbeks, Iranians, Afghans, and Russians. The Tajik people, most likely originating from the ancient Persian province of Sogdiana, had, by the 9th century begun operating sophisticated trading, farming, and artisan enterprises. At the conclusion of the Bolshevik Revolution, the Tajik people fought for independence through a series of guerrilla wars with the Bolsheviks, but were finally subdued in 1921.

Although Tajikistan became an independent republic in 1991, it quickly became involved in violent internal conflicts between Communists, pro-democratic, and pro-Islamic groups. In 1992, rebel militias removed the first President of Tajikistan, Rakhmon Nabiev, a parliamentary republic was established, and civil war erupted.

The presidency was reinstated via referendum on November 5, 1994, a cease-fire was brokered, and elections took place. The Parliamentary Chairman and President is Imomali Rakhmonov; and the peace process has been maintained.

Tajiks constitute approximately 62% of the population, with Uzbeks (23%) and Russians (8%) comprising the largest minority groups.

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