DUSHANBE, April 28, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- The government objects to Tajik Aluminum Company’s (Talco) intention to give up the tolling system (customer-finished raw materials) of work, Deputy Economic Development and Trade Minister, Amonullo Ashour, remarked at a news conference in Dushanbe on April 27.

According to him, Talco proposes to give up this system and thereby reduce alumina imports, however, the government is against this proposal.  “”If Talco gives up the tolling system of work, the aluminum production volumes will decrease significantly, which is inadmissible,” said Ahsour, “Aluminum production accounts for 3.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and 38-40 percent of incomes from the overall production of industrial goods.”

The government is also currently considering the possibility of reviewing alumina shipment tariffs and attracting investments for development of alumina deposits in the country.  “We have deposits having possible alumina reserves of totaling more than 100,000 tons of alumina in the Rasht and Hissor valleys as well as in Zarqfshon,” the deputy minister said, noting that the government is also seeking solution to the problem of providing local enterprises with aluminum.

According to him, more than 13 enterprises using primary aluminum as raw materials currently function in the country.  Because of aluminum shortages, such enterprises as Regarkabel, Tajikkabel, Charogh as well as five enterprises in northern Tajikistan are standing idle, Ashour said.