DUSHANBE, January 12, Asia-Plus  -- Modernization of the State Unitary Enterprise Tojikcement (Dushanbe cement plant) is expected to be completed in the first half-year of 2008 and the plant intends to increase production of cement from 311,322 tons in 2007 to 550,000 tons this year.   

The Dushanbe cement plant modernization project is being implemented by the Czech company Inekon Group due to $73 million provided by the Czech Export Bank.   

Tojikcement provides with cement all facilities of statewide importance being constructed in Tajikistan, including the Sangtuda hydropower plants, Anzob and Shar-Shar tunnels.   

Besides, the plan has also received application for delivery of cement to the site for the Roghun hydropower plant.  

The source at Tojikcement noted that they would raise prices for its output this year.  He attributed that to rising prices of electricity and natural gas.   

Last year, the plant realized the sulfate-resistant (type V) cement at the rate of 650 somonis (equivalent to $188) per one ton and the Portland cement (the most common type of cement in general usage) at the rate of 620 somonis ($178) per ton (including VAT).   

Tojikcement is Tajikistan’s largest cement plant with rate capacity of 1 million tons of cement per year.  Last year, the plant operated only at 38 percent of its capacity as its main equipment had practically outlived its service life.   

According to information posted on the Inekon Group website, it will also build a new cement plant in Khatlon’s Shahritus district.  The contract signed with Tajik company Ismoili Somoni in June 2006 is worth some $100 million.  The plant will have an annual output of 500 thousand tons of cement with a potential output increase to 2.5 million ton.  The credit financing will be provided by the Czech Export Bank.   

We will recall that another cement plant was put into operation in Sughd’s Isfara district in January 2007.