DUSHANBE, November 13, Asia-Plus – Since October 13, the gasoline prices in the country have dropped by 8 percent, according to the antimonopoly agency.
Specialists from the antimonopoly commission attribute the price lowering to the decreasing cost of fuel on the world market, increase in the volume of the imported and regulation of the gasoline prices by the antimonopoly commission.
Experts say that analysis of the domestic fuel market has shown that fuel suppliers manipulate the gasoline prices. ”The antimonopoly agency has decided to resolve this problem on the basis of the country’s laws on restriction of the monopolistic activity and on the rights of consumers,” the source said, noting that the antimonopoly commission passed a ruling on regulation of the fuel prices on October 20.
“This ruling does not mean that the agency will set the prices,” said the antimonopoly agency source, “It will just recommend prices.”
The antimonopoly agency experts are studying documentations of private fuel stations. Under the ruling passed by the antimonopoly commission the recommended price of one liter of 80-octane gasoline should be not more than 1.90 somonis and the recommended price one of 92-octane gasoline should be set at 2.20 somonis per one liter. “If the fuel station ignores this ruling it will be fined at the rate of 2,000 minimal wages,” the source said.
The source noted that in October alone, 29,000 tons fuel were supplied to the republic, which is 14,000 tons more than in September, when 15,000 tons of fuel were supplied to the country.
According to the Ministry of Economy and Trade, over the first nine months of this year Tajikistan has imported a total of 273,600 tons of oil products at a cost of US$126,700 million.
At present one liter of 96-octane gasoline in Dushanbe costs 2.70 somonis, one linter of 95-octane gasoline 2.60 somonis and one liter of 80-octane gasoline 2.40 somonis.
