Russia remains a reliable supplier and is increasing the export of petroleum products to Tajikistan on preferential terms, according to the needs of the country and the growth of its economy, said the Russian Ambassador to Tajikistan, Semen Grigoryev, Asiaplustj.info reports.
"We supply petroleum products to Tajikistan at preferential prices under a bilateral agreement between the governments of Russia and Tajikistan on cooperation in the supply of petroleum products," quoted the diplomat by TASS.
He noted that in the first half of this year, Tajikistan imported 391.5 thousand tons of Russian petroleum products amounting to $268.3 million.
"With the growth of Tajikistan's economy, we are constantly increasing these volumes," said the Russian Ambassador.
Grigoryev emphasized that Russian petroleum product deliveries to Tajikistan in the first half of this year increased by 12.4% in monetary terms and by 35.6% in physical volumes compared to the same period in 2022.
The Ambassador pointed out that neighboring Kyrgyzstan also receives Russian petroleum product supplies on preferential terms under an intergovernmental agreement.
However, according to the Russian diplomat, Kyrgyzstan is a member of the Eurasian Development Bank, and "everything will change for this country in the near future."
"From January 1, 2025, the common market for oil and petroleum products of the EAEU will start operating, which will allow increasing the volumes of petroleum product supplies and optimizing logistics," he added.
Since 2013, Tajikistan has been receiving Russian petroleum products (petroleum products and liquefied gas) on preferential terms—without paying customs duties when exporting products from the territory of the Russian Federation. The competent authorities of the two countries, until October 1, coordinate the volumes of domestic consumption in Tajikistan for the next year and sign indicative balances.
Under this agreement, Tajikistan can receive up to 1 million tons of Russian petroleum products by the end of this year.
Before that, in recent years, the parties consistently agreed on 830 thousand tons, although Tajik suppliers did not reach these volumes.
According to the Ministry of Energy of Tajikistan, in the first half of this year, Tajikistan imported over 710 thousand tons of petroleum products (more than 502 thousand tons) and liquefied gas (about 208 thousand tons), which is almost 135 thousand tons more compared to the same period in 2022.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
November 15, 2023