DUSHANBE December 17, 2013, Asia-Plus – Tajik President Emomali Rahmon held a working meeting on December 16 to discuss issues related to operation of the Tajik aluminum smelter and providing the population with electricity and heat in winter period, according to the Tajik president’s official website.
The meeting participants included Prime Minister Qohir Rasoulzoda, Deputy Prime Minister Davlatali Saidov, Deputy Prime Minister Azim Ibrohim, President’s Office Head Bakhtiyor Khudoyorov and heads of a number of ministries and agencies.
Top managers of the Tajik Aluminum Company (TALCO) reported on the company’s activities and noted that ongoing financial crisis and the fall in the international aluminum prices had affected aluminum production in many countries.
Speaking at the meeting, the president underlined significance of TALCO activities for Tajikistan’s economy and ordered relevant ministries and agencies to take measures to ensure undisturbed operation of the aluminum smelter.
He also ordered to take adequate measures to provide the population with electricity and heat during winter period.
Tajikistan is Central Asia’s biggest producer of primary aluminum. Tajikistan relies heavily on the smelter”s earnings.
The aluminum plant, run by the Tajik Aluminum Company (TALCO), was launched in late March 1975. It is one of the ten largest aluminum smelters in the world and provides more than 70% of the country’s foreign currency earnings, consuming 40% of the country’s electrical power. Tajikistan does not mine alumina but imports the raw material through tolling arrangements.
