DUSHANBE, April 29, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- There will be no any flurry in Tajikistan in connection with possible suspension by Russia of gasoline exports, Bakhtiyor Nazirmadov, an official with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT), told Asia-Plus Friday afternoon.

“Russia plans to put a month-long ban on gasoline exports and our fuel stocks are enough for one month,” Nazirmadov said, noting that the ministry has not yet received any official notice from Russia on gasoline export suspension.  “Most likely, everything will become clear after the May-Day holiday,” the MEDT official said.

According to him, there are alternative sources of fuel imports to Russia.  “We could replace Russian gasoline with the Turkmen one, though its more expensive,” noted Nazirmadov, “Current average price of one ton of Russian gasoline imported into Tajikistan is US$885.00, while average price of Turkmen gasoline is US$915.00 per one ton.  Anyway, we will not be left without gasoline, but it will little more expensive.”

The Customs Service says Tajikistan has imported more than 141,000 tons of fuel for a total amount of U$125 million over the first three months of this year.  A totaled included 82,800 tons of gasoline and 35,700 tons of diesel fuel.  Russia reportedly accounted for 79.3 percent of Tajikistan’s fuel imports over the report period.  Besides, Tajikistan has imported 22,500 tons of oil products from Turkmenistan and 4,900 tons from Kazakhstan in January-March this year.

We will recall that Russia’s energy minister said on April 28 that the country’s fuel shortage problem is under control, but a temporary ban on gasoline exports could be put in place.  According to the statement, the situation with regard to gasoline and diesel fuel is under control.  “Such measures are only being discussed in relation to gasoline,” the ministry said, noting that the current stocks of fuel are enough to last for up to three week, depending on the region.