DUSHANBE, July 27, Asia-Plus — Damage caused the country’s economy by last year’s energy crisis has been estimated at millions of somonis, Deputy Economic Development and Trade Minister, Amonullo Ashour, told a news conference in Dushanbe on July 26. 

Rahmon Bahronov, an official with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT), added that if to take into account that many enterprises had suspended their activities and new jobs had not been created, the energy crisis damage could be estimated at billions of somonis. 

“Introduction of the first generator of the Sangtuda-1 power plant into operation and the beginning of construction work on the site of the Roghun power plant in the third quarter will allow tackling many problems,” Bahronov said.  

On the natural-gas supplies problems, Ashour noted that the main reason for lack of natural-gas supplies is large consumers’ debts.  “Funds intended for development of the gas supply network and infrastructure of the natural-gas economy are mainly going to covering the debts, and currently we are considering the introduction of gas rationing for all enterprises,” the deputy minister said.