DUSHANBE, August 5, 2009, Asia-Plus — The state unitary enterprise, Tajik Aluminum Company (Talco), has produced more than 185,000 tons of primary aluminum overt the first six months of this year, which is 18.5 percent fewer than in the same period of last year, according to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT).
In all, Tajik aluminum smelter plans to produce 377,000 of aluminum this year.
“Aluminum is the main item of Tajikistan’s exports and the fall in the world prices of aluminum has resulted in the industrial production volumes decreasing in Tajikistan,” said the source at a MEDT. “World prices of primary aluminum have fallen nearly 40 percent compared to the last summer. Current world price of one ton of primary aluminum is 1,820 U.S. dollars, while last summer it was 3,000 U.S. dollars.” Severe energy shortages have also affected aluminum productions in Tajikistan, according to him.
The source added that in 2008, Talco reduced aluminum productions by 4.7 percent compared to 2007. Last year, Talco produced 399,450 tons of aluminum.
