DUSHANBE, May 4, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- In connection with impact of the global financial crisis on the country’s economy, Tajik authorities have decided to temporarily refrain from raising electricity rates.

Electricity rates in Tajikistan usually rise twice a year – on January 1 and May 1.  Electricity rates wee planned to rise 15 percent on May 1; however, electricity rates have not yet been raised.

According to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MoEDT), they decided to temporarily refrain from raising electricity prices because of impact of the ongoing global financial crisis on the country’s economy.

We will recall that by government’s resolution electricity prices for all electricity consumers, except Tajik Aluminum Company (Talco), were raised by 25 percent on January 1, 2009.

Under conditions of the global financial crisis that has resulted in aluminum prices decreasing and for the purpose of supporting aluminum production in the country the government has decided to leave the electricity price for Talco the same – 5.15 dirams per 1 kWh.

In the meantime, current prices are 6.00 dirams for residential customers, 13.68 dirams for industrial enterprise, and 10 dirams for federally funded institutions.