DUSHANBE, March 15, Asia-Plus - Uzbekistan has increased gas supplies to Tajikistan as the “Tojikgaz” State Unitary Enterprise (Tajik gas concern) has repaid almost 50 percent of its debt to “Uztransgaz” (Uzbek gas supply company).

We will recall that Uzbekistan has cut natural-gas supplies to Tajikistan by 25 percent because “Tojikgaz” company has been US$4 million in arrears as of March 1.  “Thus, supply of natural gas to Tajikistan will not be cut off,” the Tojikgaz source said

As it had been reported earlier, Uztransgaz February 27 sent to Tojikgaz a telephoned telegram warning about cutting off natural-gas shipments to Tajikistan if Tajikistan does not repay its debt or at least a part of its debt until March 15. 

It is to be noted that Tajik consumers’ debts for gas supplies have totaled some 130 million Somonis (equivalent to more than US$40 million).   

We will recall that under agreements reached between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan Tajikistan is supposed to receive 650 million cubic meters of natural gas from Uzbekistan this year, which is 20 million cubic meters more compared to 2005.