DUSHANBE, April 23, 2010, Asia-Plus -- 35 number plates were sold by auction in Dushanbe on April 22, according to the Ministry of Interior (MoI).

The source at a MoI noted that the number plate “0100” had been sold for 40,000 somoni (equivalent to 9,100 U.S. dollars).

In all, 144 number plates were put on auction and 35 of them were sold for a total amount of 81,200 somoni though the number plate price is 75 somoni, he added.  The upset price of each lot was 225 somoni.

“The number plate “0707” was sold for 6,500 somoni, the number plates “0202” and “0808” were sold for 3,600 somoni each, the number plate “0700” was sold for 3,300 somoni and the number plates “0200” and “0800” were sold for 1,200 somoni each,” the source said, noting that all the proceeds will be transferred to the republican budget.