DUSHANBE, April 28, 2011, Asia-Plus — Asked about the possible suspension by Russia of gasoline exports, Farhod Mirzoyev, the director general of Gazprom’s subsidiary in Tajikistan, Gazpromneft-Tajikistan, told Asia-Plus Thursday afternoon that they have not yet received any official document on that subject.
He noted that following fuel shortage that has arisen in a number of Russia’s regions, the Russian authorities would take measures to protect domestic fuel market. “It is natural that the main flow of Russian oil products will go to meeting domestic requirements in order to put the situation right,” Mirzoyev said, noting that the Russian authorities made a decision on limiting fuel exports already at the beginning of this week.
According to him, oil products for Gazpromneft-Tajikistan are still being shipped without any problems.
Mirzoyev, however, expects gasoline prices to rise solidly in Tajikistan. “The first fuel price hike is expected to hit before May 10 or 12 and the second one price hike may hit by the end of May,” he added.
Russia provides the bulk of Tajikistan’s fuel imports and Gazpromneft-Tajikistan reportedly dominates Tajik fuel market. In January-March 2011, Gazpromneft-Tajikistan accounted for 35 percent of fuel deliveries to Tajikistan.
