In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, the Minister of Industry and New Technologies, Zarobiddin Fayzullozoda, revealed on February 12 that 127 industrial enterprises (little more than 6 percent of the overall number of industrial enterprises registered in the country) were not in operation last year.
To-date, 2,097 industrial enterprises have reportedly been registered in Tajikistan.
“Many of the enterprises that stood idle last year are the seasonal ones while others were not in operation due to lack of raw materials or circulating assets,” the minister said.
Some enterprises that have been leased to foreign countries did not operate last year as well.
Adrasman ore refinery was also not in operation last year.
Recall, Adrasman ore refinery located in the northern province of Sughd was purchased by Kazakhstan’s KazInvest-Mineral in July 2006 for 11 million somoni. Under an agreement concluded between KazInvest-Mineral, which assumed the 100 percent ownership interest in the ore refinery, and Kazakh company North Time in 2009, 74 percent of shares in the ore refinery were transferred to North Time.
Established in 1967, the Adrasman ore refinery is engaged in mining and processing of lead ore for producing led-silver concentrate. The plant’s capacity is more than 650,000 tons of ore a year.
“Kazakh investors have failed to organize the ore refinery’s work. Since the enterprise has not been financed, the Tajik government has given it back. We are currently seeking for new investors who could be able to organize the enterprise’s work,” Fayzullozoda said.
The minister further added that 130 new industrial enterprises and workshops were introduced into operation in the country last year creating about 1,800 new jobs.
