DUSHANBE, December 24, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Tajik Aluminum Company (Talco) has reduced aluminum production by 10 percent.

Press release issued by Tajik aluminum group said that measures seek to reduce electricity consumption and improve provision of population with electricity and heat during winter months.  The move also stems from a decline in world aluminum prices in connection with the ongoing financial crisis.

Press release added that production of aluminum has increased in Tajikistan in recent years.  Thus in 2007, the Tajik aluminum smelter produced 421,450 tons of primary aluminum, which is 5,450 kilograms more than in 2006.  This year, Talco plans to increase aluminum production to 427,000 tons, which is 95.7 percent of the enterprise’s rated capacity.