DUSHANBE, September 1, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- The process of turning Tajik national air carrier, Tajik Air, into a joint-stock company is expected to be completed until the end of this year, according to the State Committee for Investments and State-owned Property Management (GosKomInvest).

The process of turning the state unitary enterprises Dushanbe International Airport, Khujand International Airport, Kulob International Airport and Qurghon Teppa International Airport into joint-stock companies is also under way, the source said.

“These enterprises are reorganized into joint-stock companies in accordance with the plan for restructuring of these companies,” he said, noting that the government will own 100 percent of the shares in these companies.  “In any case, the government will assume the gold shares in these companies and majority ownership stakes in the companies will belong to the government.”

We will recall that until 2008, Tajik Air had an absolute monopoly in Tajikistan’s air transport, owning all planes, airports, and airport and flight services.  As a result of restructuring, Tajik Air was split up into several separate companies: Dushanbe International Airport; Khujand International Airport; Kulob International Airport; Qurghon Teppa International Airport; Tajik Air (air carrier), the Fuel-Supply Company; Tajikearonavigtsiya (air navigation); and Bortpitaniye (in-flight meals)