QURGHON TEPPA, May 23, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Devaluation of the national currency, the somoni, has led to a nearly 15 percent increase of prices of gasoline in the southern Khatlon province.

The price of one liter of 95-octane gasoline at private refueling stations in Qurghon Teppa, the capital of Khatlon province has risen from 2.6-2.7 somoni on May 21 to 3.0-3.10 somoni, with similar rises in districts.

The refueling station owners say the price hike has resulted from devaluation of the somoni against the dollar.

According to the Khatlon customs directorate, 30,600 tons of gasoline for a total amount of 11.4 million U.S. dollars has been delivered to the province over the first four months of this year.