A spike in liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices has led to increase in taxi fares and the cost of freight. Liquefied natural gas prices have risen more than 50 percent in Dushanbe – from 2.50 somoni per liter in late May to the current 4.40 somoni per liter.
In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, the head of Antimonopoly Agency under the Government of Tajikistan, Abdumajid Muminzoda, revealed on July 15 that a real wholesale cost of one liter of LNG is 3.20 somoni.
According to him, working groups of the Antimonopoly Agency are currently inspecting a number of companies supplying LNG to Tajikistan.
If it is proven that the prices are raised unlawfully, administrative measures will be taken against them,” Muminzoda noted.
In accordance with the country’s antimonopoly legislation, companies accounting for 35 percent of market are put on the register of dominating companies.
Three entities with a total share of not less than 50 percent and five entities with a total share of not less than 70 percent are also put on the register of dominating companies.
Before introducing new fees, such companies must coordinate them with the Antimonopoly Agency.
According to the Antimonopoly Agency, fifteen companies are engaged in supplying LNG to Tajikistan but the share of none of them exceeds even 20 percent.
Thus, domestic company Alad reportedly accounts for 17 percent of the LNG market, while Gazprom’s affiliate Gazpromneft-Tajikistan accounts for 8.4 percent of the country’s LNG market.
Tajikistan receives deliveries of liquefied gas by road and rail. More than 60 percent of the country's motor vehicles use liquefied natural gas as fuel.
Tajikistan’s annual requirements in liquefied natural gas are more than 400,000 tons. Last year, Tajikistan imported more than 430,000 ton of liquefied natural gas.
