DUSHANBE, May 5, 2011, Asia-Plus — Open joint-stock company (OJSC) Gazpromneft-Tajikistan, which is subsidiary of Russia’s state-controlled company Gazprom, has reportedly been prohibited from raising fuel prices, until new consignment of oil products comes from Russia.
The source at the Antimonopoly Agency under the Government of Tajikistan says the price for 92-octane gasoline will remain at the rate of 4.80 somoni per liter, while the price of one liter of diesel fuel must not exceed 5.60 somoni. “Earlier, the Russian supplier set the price for one liter of diesel fuel at 5.80 somoni, but it was recommended to cut it to 5.60 somoni,” he noted.
The source, however, stressed that the fuel prices would rise in the country soon. “But it will happen only after new consignment of oil arrives in the country from Russia,” said he, “It is expected to happen after May 20”
Specialists from the antimonopoly agency claim that there is currently no shortage of gasoline in the country. “Lack of gasoline at some refueling stations does not mean that Tajikistan is experiencing an acute shortage of gasoline. Deficiency is usually recognized only when more than 30 percent of the volume of market remains without commodity.”
In the meantime, representatives from Gazpromneft-Tajikistan say oil products shipped by the company to Tajikistan in April must last the end of May.
According to the data from the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT), an average price for 92-octane and 95-octane gasoline has risen 8.7 percent since the beginning of this year, reaching 5.00 somoni (equivalent to US$1.10).
Russia reportedly accounts for more than 90 percent of Tajikistan’s fuel imports and Gazpromneft-Tajikistan dominates the country’s fuel market.
Current average price for one ton Russian gasoline delivered to Tajikistan is reportedly US$1,010 (including US$408.30 export duty imposed by the Russian authorities).
