DUSHANBE , April 25, Asia-Plus - A share of aluminum in Tajikistan ’s exports has accounted for 71.3 percent in the first quarter of 2006, First Deputy Economy and Trade Minister, Sodiq Huseinov, announced at a news conference in Dushanbe on April 24.  

According to him, Tajikistan ahs exported aluminum for US$237.7 million in January-March this year while Tajik exports over the same three-month period have amounted to US$317.4 million. 

The main trading partners to Tajik aluminum were: the Netherlands – for an amount of US$157 million; Turkey – for US$72 million; and Iran – for US$3.7 million.

According to figures provided by the Ministry of Economy and Trade, compared to January-March 2005 production of primary aluminum at Tajik Aluminum Plant (TadAZ) has increased by 8,300 tons over the first three months of this year amounted to 98,300 tons.  

The TadAZ debt to “Barqi Tojik” (Tajik electricity) holding company for electricity has amounted to 86.3 million Somonis (equivalent to some US$26.9 million) as of April 1 2006 .

A total debt of the public and enterprises for electricity has amounted to some 171 million Somonis as of April 1 2006 .