DUSHANBE, September 5, Asia-Plus – Specialists from “Tojikgaz” (Tajik state gas concern) expect supply of natural gas to the public in Tajikistan will resume by the end of this week.
According to information from Tajik state gas concern, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in the beginning of the year agreed on the supply of 750 million cubic meters of natural gas at the rate of US$55.00 per 1,000 cubic meters to Tajikistan this year. “We have received more than 340 million cubic meters so far,” said the source, “And the remaining 410 million cubic meters will be enough till the end of January 2007.”
In the meantime, Uzbekistan has reduced gas supplies to Tajikistan from 45,000 cubic meters per hour to 35,000 cubic meters per hour. “This amount of natural gas is enough only for keeping the country’s industrial enterprises operational,” the source said, noting that the supply of natural gas to the public will resume by the end of this week.
“The main reason for reduction in natural gas supplies to Tajikistan is Tajik gas concern’s debt to Uztransgaz (Uzbek gas supply company),” said the Asia-Plus interlocutor, “Our debt to the Uzbek side has to date amounted US$4 million.”
The Tojikgaz specialists say that if Tajikistan has to purchase an additional volume of natural gas from Uzbekistan, the new prices will be much higher because Uzbekistan intends to raise the prices of exported natural gas.
We will recall that on January 1 this year, Uzbekistan raised the price of natural gas for Tajikistan from US$42 to US$55 per 1,000 cubic meters. Uzbekistan authorities have justified the decision as based on world market trends.
Since July 1, “Tojikgaz” has realized natural gas to the public at the rate of 265 Somonis (equivalent to more than US$80.00) per 1,000 cubic meters.
