DUSHANBE, May 21, 2010, Asia-Plus -- Tajik Anti-Monopoly Service under the Government of Tajikistan has set up a special group to prevent artificial deficit at the country’s fuel market and unreasonable growth in fuel prices, Head of the Department of Information, Recordation and International Relations Elena Rahimova told the AP.

According to her, these groups will operate in districts, cities and regions of Tajikistan. “Tajik Anti-Monopoly Service urges fuel consumers to report about any facts of sale of fuel at overrated prices via the following telephone numbers 223-06-96, 221-60-03, 221-32-69”, she reported.

Rahimova noted that on May 1 this year Russia has introduced an export duty for separate categories of oil products exported from the Russian Federation and territories of countries – members of the Tax Union. The duty makes $203,7 per one ton. 

Before May 1 this year an export duty for Russian light oil products (gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene) was $193,5 per ton. 

Elena Rahimova stressed that wholesale suppliers and businessmen dealing with fuel supplies in Tajikistan have enough reserves and should not use the existing situation for unreasonable rise of prices and incomes.

“In other words, the existing reserves should be sold at prices which were observed before May 1 this year,” she added.

Russia is major supplier of oil products to Tajikistan’s market. According to Tajik Ministry of Energy and Industry, more than 70% of oil products are imported to Tajikistan from Russia.