DUSHANBE, June 24, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- The introduction of road pricing in Tajikistan is quite a logical move of the government, Firouz Saidov, the head of the department for social and labor market studies within the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of Tajikistan, said in an interview with Asia-Plus.

According to him, payments will be collected for use of motor roads of republican significance that may become international highways in the future.  “Foreign carriers, including heavy trucks, will use these roads alongside with local vehicles,” said the senior expert from the Tajik think tank said, “We have to repair these roads with the lapse of time while the country cannot constantly apply to international donors for financial support.  Therefore, the government had to make such changes to the legislation.  As a result carriers themselves will pay for maintenance of roads.”

Saidov stressed that the road pricing was not Tajikistan’s innovation.  “Such a practice is widely used in many countries of the world,” said Saidov, “For example, in some countries, users of motor roads pay for construction and maintenance of roads.”

The other point what mechanisms of collection of funds for the use of motor roads will be used in Tajikistan, the expert said.  “I think payment rates should not be equal for all users.  The rates should depend on type and weight of vehicle and some other parameters.  The rates for local and foreign carriers should be different.”