DUSHANBE, March 18, Asia-Plus  -- Over the first two months of this year, Tajikistan has produced a total of 804.9 million somonis (equivalent to some $233.4 million) worth of industrial goods, according to figures provided by the State Committee for Statistics.  

Compared to January-February 2007, the index of the volume of production of industrial goods amounted to only 85.3 percent.  

Enterprises subordinate to the Ministry of Energy and Industries (MoEI) have produced 118 million somonis ($34.2) worth of industrial goods over the report period, which is 24.1 percent fewer than the in the same period of 2007. 

The energy sector has produced output for only 58.829 million somonis (equivalent to little more than $17 million) in January-February 2008, which is only was 87.5 percent of the January-February 2006 level.

There was also decrease in production in the light industry, which has reached only 65.8 percent of the January-February 2006 level.  Enterprises of the light industry have manufactured only 112.371 million somonis ($32.6 million) worth of products over the first two months of this year.

The similar situation has been reported in the food industry as well.  Enterprises of the food industry have produced 172.673 million somonis worth of output over the report period, which is 22.9 percent fewer than in the same period of last year.         

Enterprises of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) have produced 74.8 million somonis worth of output over the same two-month period, which is 40.9 percent fewer than in January-February 2007.  

 According to the State Committee for Statistics, in February 2008 there were 392 enterprises, or 53.7 percent of the overall number (730), that were not in operation due to severe electricity shortages.