Gazprom CEO, Tajik President Discuss Cooperation

Gazprom CEO Aleksei Miller

DUSHANBE -- The operations of Russia's energy giant Gazprom in Tajikistan were discussed at talks between Gazprom chief Aleksei Miller and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe.

Miller arrived late on September 17 for a two-day visit.

He told journalists after the talks the next day that his company is interested in obtaining more licenses to explore natural-gas fields in Tajikistan.

According to Miller, Gazprom has invested some $150 million in two major natural-gas fields in Tajikistan's north since 2010.

He said his company is ready to invest further.

Last month, Gazprom announced an additional $15 million investment in its operations at the Saryqamysh gas field, some 40 kilometers north of Dushanbe.

Tajikistan, one of the poorest countries in the post-Soviet space, has been in need of investment after its devastating 1992-97 civil war.