DUSHANBE, November 29, Asia-Plus - An information about the possible power supplies cutoff has caused quite stir in Tajikistan and led to a sudden hike in prices of kerosene, liquefied gas and some basic food products in the country.  

A reliable source at the Ministry of Economy and Trade (MoET) said in an interview with Asia-Plus that the information about the upcoming power supplies cutoff has led to a 50 and even 100 percent increase in the prices of kerosene, liquefied gas and bread in Dushanbe, with similar price rises in other parts of the country.  “Using this stir, separate entrepreneurs have decided to get more money and artificially raised the prices,” the source said, noting that at present the demand for some goods exceeds the supply.  

Thus, over the past couple of days, the prices of Iran-made home cylinders for liquefied gas have risen on average from 45-50 somonis to 100-120 somonis.  “A sudden spike has also been registered in the prices of bread and bread products produced by private sector,” said the source, “Thus, the price of “non”, Tajik national loaf, has risen from 0.50 somoni to 1.00 somonis.” 

However, the recent information about the postponement of the damming of the Vakhsh River has changed the situation for better and the bread prices have little reduced, on average by 40%, according to the source.