DUSHANBE, April 17, Asia-Plus -- Local and foreign companies are expected to have invested totaling more than $3 million in exploration of gas and oil reserves in Tajikistan this year, Azim Ibrohim, the head of Tajikistan’s Main Geology Directorate, announced at a news conference in Dushanbe on April 16.  

 According to him, $2.256 million were spent for the geological prospecting of natural gas and oil fields in Tajikistan last year. 

More than half the amount was foreign investments ($1.648 million).  “These funds were invested in 19 projects; 10 of them are being implemented by nine foreign companies, including Kazakhstan’s SA Minerals, and the joint ventures such as Zerafshan, Aprelevka and Darvoz,” the country’s main geology directorate head said, noting that this year, they plan to explore oil and gas reserves of two other fields.   

 Ibrohim added that this year’s national budget had earmarked 1.2 million somonis for the geological prospecting of natural gas and oil.  “This amount is not enough because the complete exploration of the reserves requires some $20 million,” he said.