DUSHANBE, May 2, Asia-Plus — Issue of repaying debt of Barqi Tojik (Tajik electric systems) power holding to Tojikgaz (Tajikistan’s state natural-gas distributor) has still remained unsolved, although the government charged the power holding to repay its debts to Tojikgaz two months ago already, the Tojikgaz director general Fathiddin Muhsiddinov said in an interview with Asia-Plus.
“If Barqi Tojik does not repay its gas debts in the near future, it may lead to suspension of Uzbek gas supplies to the country,” Muhsiddinov said, noting that last week, Uzbekistan reduced the supply of daily natural gas to Tajikistan from 80,000 to 500,000 cubic meters.
“Because of delays in paying for gas supplies, Uzbekistan may cut off natural-gas supplies that will inflict serious damage to the country’s economy,” said the Tojikgaz head. “Two large enterprises – TojikAzot and Tojikcement – have not been in operation for already several weeks.”
Barqi Tojik now owes more than $6.7 million to Tojikgaz.
As it had been reported earlier, Uzbekistan considerably cut natural-gas shipments to Tajikistan in late March due to $7 million in arrears that Tojikgaz owes to Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan has to date failed to reach an agreement on increasing Uzbek natural-gas supplies.
