During a late April visit to Moscow, Rahmonov concentrated on bolstering trade links with Russia. The Tajik leader specifically requested aid to develop the country s hydro-power and mineral mining sectors. Tajikistan s State Statistics Committee reported in late April that the economy registered 7.6 percent growth during the first quarter of 2001, compared with the same period a year earlier. Industrial output, foreign trade turnover and the average monthly wage all registered significant gains. However, given the low starting point for leading indicators, the economic picture remains grim.
Instability continues to cloud Tajikistan s economic landscape.
Organized criminal gangs appear well entrenched, posing a daunting challenge for Tajik law enforcement agencies. Recent clashes underscore the depth of Tajikistan s security dilemma. The most notorious development in recent weeks was the April 11 assassination of Khabib Sanginov, the former first deputy minister of the interior. But Tajikistan has been plagued by less publicized incidents, all believed linked to organized crime, in recent weeks. In the clash, one villager was killed, several injured.