DUSHANBE -- Uzbekistan has reduced its deliveries of natural gas to Tajikistan by one-quarter, reportedly over unpaid debts, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports.
TajikTransGaz's Shavkat Shoimov said his company owes some $14 million to Uzbek gas companies, $1 million of which is owed by consumers.
The other $13 million is reportedly owed by Tajikistan's largest state companies, including TajikCement, Talco (the Tajik Aluminum Company), TajikAzot, and main electricity supplier Barqi Tojik.
Uzbekistan sold natural gas to Tajikistan for $145 per 1,000 cubic meters last year, but is currently selling its gas for $240 per 1,000 cubic meters.
Tajikistan plans to buy some 550 million cubic meters of natural gas from Uzbekistan this year.