DUSHANBE, October 26, 2011, Asia-Plus — Tajikistan’s fuel imports have been considerably decreased in January-September this year, Chairman of the Customs Service under the Government of Tajikistan, Gurez Zaripov, noted at parliamentary hearings on 2011 national budget on October 25.
“Some 344,000 tons of oil products have been delivered to the country over the report period, which is 124,000 tons fewer than in the same period last year,” Zaripov said.
According to him, decrease in fuel imports have resulted from Russia’s decision to impose export duty on light oil products for Tajikistan. “As a result of this measure, fuel prices have jumped sharply in Tajikistan and volumes of fuel imports have been decreased considerably,” Tajik chief customs office said, noting that because of that Tajik customs officers have collected customs payments 121 million somoni less.
“Another factor that has contributed to decrease in customs payments over the report period is increase in import of preferential goods,” said Zaripov. “In January-September 2011, preferential goods accounted for 73.2 percent of the overall volumes of Tajikistan’s imports.”
Besides, new food production enterprises have been introduced into operation over the same nine-month period that has also led to decrease in imports, he noted.
Over the report period, customs payments have amounted to 1.655 billion somoni, which is 39 million somoni, or 2.4 percent, more than it was originally planned. Zaripov noted that customs officers have transferred 1.176 billion somoni to the national budget over the report period.
