Open Joint-Stock Company Tojiktransgaz (state-run natural-gas distributor) says it cannot repay its debts to the Ministry of Finance because many large natural-gas consumers, including the Tajik Aluminum Company (TALCO), have not yet repaid their gas debts.
Dushanbe’s Economic Court has handed down ruling, under which Tojiktransgaz should pay 16 million somoni to the Ministry of Finance.
Meanwhile, the natural-gas distribution agency agrees with the ruling handed down by Dushanbe’s Economic Court only partially.
Tojiktransgaz recognizes its principal debt of 10 million somoni. But it does not agree with accrued interest that exceeds 6 million somoni.
Besides, Tojiktransgaz representatives say that the agency cannot repay its debt to the Finance Ministry because many large gas consumers, including the Tajik Aluminum Company, have not yet repaid their debts for Uzbek natural gas they had received until 2012.
However, they did not say what the overall volume of gas debts is and how much the aluminum company owes to Tojiktransgaz.
Asia-Plus has applied for comments to TALCO.
Igor Sattarov, a spokesman for TALCO, doubts that TALCO has gas debts. “How TALCO can be in debt for natural gas, if it produces synthesis gas by itself,” Sattarov says.
TALCO has produced syngas from coal since 2012, when Uzbekistan stopped natural-gas shipments to Tajikistan.
Tajikistan hopes to resume natural-gas shipments from Uzbekistan
Tojiktransgaz has practically not operated since 2012, when Uzbekistan stopped natural-gas shipments to Tajikistan.
Over last five years, Tojiktransgaz has been engaged in distributing inconsiderable volumes of natural gas being produced in the Tajik southern Khatlon province. Khatlon’s annual natural gas productions amount to only little more than 3 million cubic meters, which is equal to the daily supply of Uzbek natural gas.
Tajik natural-gas distribution agency hopes for resumption of Uzbek natural gas supplies to Tajikistan that will allow the agency to repay its debt to the Finance Ministry.
Sale of Tojiktransgaz’s properties reportedly has nothing to do with its debts
Properties of OJSC Tojiktransgaz have been put for sale.
The company’s gas storages located in the Bobojon-Ghafourov district of the Sughd province and in the Roudaki district (districts subordinate to the center) have been put on action.
The auctions will take place on November 8.
The starting price for the gas storage located in the Navobod jamoat of the Roudaki district is 2.2 million somoni and the starting price for the gas storage locate in the Bobojon-Ghafourov district is 1.3 million somoni.
Tojiktransgaz representatives say the upcoming auction has nothing to do with the agency’s debts to the Finance Ministry.
