DUSHANBE, January 25, 2010, Asia-Plus -- Tajikistan now receives 17,000-18,000 cubic meters of Uzbek natural gas per day, according to Tojikgaz (Tajik state-controlled natural-gas distributor).

The gas received is distributed to Tajik Aluminum Company (TALCO), Tojikcement (Dushanbe cement plant), Dushanbe power and heat station and other consumers who make prepayments in proper time, the source said, adding that they are also supplying gas to residential customers as far as possible.

According to him, Tajikistan has made prepayment of 2.5 million U.S. dollars to Uzbekistan.

We will recall that that Tajikistan will buy 250 million cubic meters of natural gas from Uzbekistan this year and the gas price will vary quarterly depending on the world trends.  Uzbekistan still set gas price for Tajikistan at the rate of 231 U.S. dollars per 1,000 cubic meters and Tajikistan must make prepayments every ten days.