DUSHANBE, July 16, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- As of June 30, 2009, the gold and foreign currency reserves held by Tajikistan''s central bank amounted to 184.8 million US dollars, chairman of the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT) Sharif Rahimzoda announced at a press conference in Dushanbe on July 16.

According to him, the country’s gold reserves are estimated at little more than 3,000 kilograms.  In January-June 2009, Tajikistan ahs purchased 217 kilograms of gold, which 50 kilograms fewer than in the same period of last year.

Rahmzoda attributed decrease in gold purchases to reconstruction of the Tajik-Chinese joint gold mining enterprise, Zeravshan Gold Company (ZGC), which is the main producer of gold in the country.

“Over the first six months of this year, we have carried out only one gold sale/purchase operation, having sold one ton of gold at the rate of $943 for one troy ounce,” said the central bank head, “We have also purchased one ton of gold over the report period when one troy ounce cost $929 and our profit has amounted to 643,000 US dollars.”