DUSHANBE, November 22, Asia-Plus - Uzbek gas-price hike may lead to a reduction in imports natural gas from Uzbekistan next year, Tajik national gas concern Tojikgaz said.  

A source at Tojikgaz said that Tajikistan’s requirements in natural gas are increasing from year to year in connection with the growth in population and launch of new enterprises working on natural gas.  According to him, Tajikistan intends to import 650 million cubic meters of natural gas next year but problems may arise with payment because Uzbekistan plans to raise the price of natural gas for Tajikistan from US$55 to US$100 per 1,000 cubic meters starting in 2007.  Tojikgaz has repaid its debt to Uzbek gas supply company Uztransgaz for gas shipments.  

“Before signing a gas supplies agreement we will negotiate with Uzbekistan the possibility of lowering the prices of its gas supplies,” the source said, noting that negotiations ill be conducted in December.  If Tajik delegation is able convince Uzbekistan to lower the prices Tajikistan will import 700 million cubic meters of natural gas from Uzbekistan in 2007, according to him.  “If not, imports of natural gas will reduce,” the source said.    

Uzbekistan warned in October that it will nearly double the price of its natural-gas exports in the coming months.  Experts says the new price will negatively affect Tajik industrial production and lead to reduction in imports of gas from Uzbekistan, since it will be simply unprofitable for many Tajik enterprises to use natural gas.