DUSHANBE (Central Asia Online) – The UNDP is warning that Tajikistan’s recovery from the 2009 recession is still susceptible to a downturn in 2012, UN Radio’s Russian service reported December 27.

Tajikistan’s economy grew 7.5% in the first three quarters of 2011, with remittances from migrant workers abroad nearing record levels. But economists are worried about slowing growth of industry and exports, especially as cotton and aluminium prices fall. Another serious risk is the potential decline in Russian demand for migrant labour if the European economic crisis reaches Russia.

Food and gasoline prices continue to rise, and about 1m rural Tajiks could lack access to electricity this winter, UN Radio added.