DUSHANBE, June 9, Asia-Plus — Supply of Uzbekistan’s natural gas to the public in Tajikistan will resume in early August, Shavkat Shoimov, deputy head of “Tojikgaz” (Tajik state gas concern), said.
According to him, the debt of “Tojikgaz” to “Uztransgaz” (Uzbek gas supply company) has to date amounted to US$3.5 million. “I hope that we will be able to repay at least 50 percent of the debt that will allow resuming supply of gas to the public,” Mr. Shoimov said.
“Over the past five months, the public debt for gas consumption has increased by 6 million Somonis, and as of June 1 a total debt of the public to “Tojikgaz” has amounted to 135 million Somonis (equivalent to 42 million U.S. dollars),” Mr. Shoimov said.
He says “Tojikgaz” realizes natural gas to the public at the rate of 250 Somonis (more than US$77.00) per 1,000 cubic meters.
We will recall that Tajikistan plans to import 750 million cubic meters of natural gas fro Uzbekistan this year. Compared to 2005 Uzbekistan has raised the price of natural gas for Tajikistan this year from US$42.00 to US$55.00 per 1,000 cubic meters. Uzbekistan has justified the decision as based on world market trends.
According to Shoimov, in Tajikistan, more than 296,000 families have access to natural gas. 195,500 of them have been provided with gas meters.
“At present, natural gas is supplied only to industrial enterprises of the country,” “Tojikgaz” official said.
