Tajikistan: Postal Service Marks Fall in Remittances

Remittances to northern Tajikistan have fallen by more than 70 percent in the first two months of 2009 compared with the same period a year ago.

In January-February 2008, the Tajik postal service handled $87,700 in cash, a source in the Soghd administration department told the news agency Asia-Plus on March 27. But for the first two months of 2009, the post office registered just $26,000 in remittances. Also, the number of parcels received from abroad fell from 158 in January-February 2008 to 97 in the same period 2009, the source added, noting that the parcels seemed smaller and lighter than last year.

The volume of remittances to the cash-strapped state has tumbled since the global financial crisis took hold in 2008. Agencies estimate that more than 30 percent of the economically active Tajik male population is working abroad, and that remittances -- in a good year -- constitute up to 50 percent of the country's gross domestic product.