DUSHANBE, October 12, 2009, Asia-Plus — More than 1.2 million energy-saving light bulbs, also known as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), have been delivered to Tajikistan this year, Nouriddin Mahmadov, the deputy head of the Customs Service, told reporters at a news conference in Dushanbe on October 12.
“Major part of them has been purchased by the government for distribution to the vulnerable sections of the population free of charge,” Mahmadov, adding that another some 2 mln CFLs would be delivered to the country until the end of the year.
As it had been reported earlier, President Emomali Rahmon signed a decree requiring nationwide shift to the energy-saving light bulbs beginning on May 1, 2009 on April 24, 2009. The government, local authorities, organizations and enterprises irrespective of forms of property are to provide switch to the energy-saving light bulbs by the end of this year. Besides, the ministries of finance, economic development and trade, and energy and industries, as well as Barqi Tojik power holding are charged to provide 241,000 vulnerable families in the country with energy-saving light bulbs free of charge.
The decree also obligates relevant ministries and organizations, including ministries of finance, economic development and trade, energy and industries, as well as the customs service, to prepare specific proposals on stage-by-stage restraints on import of conventional (incandescent) lamps into the country.
Relevant ministries and organizations are to provide construction and launch of two enterprises for production of the energy-saving light bulbs in the country with attraction of domestic and foreign investments as well as improve energy-saving standards during 2009-2011.
