DUSHANBE, May 10, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Fuel smuggling out of Kyrgyzstan into Tajikistan will increase, depending on Tajikistan’s requirements in oil products, Business AKIress quoted Kyrgyz customs service chief Kubanychbek Kulmatov as saying on May 10.

He noted that like Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan also receives oil products mainly from Russia, but Russia has imposed an export duty on light oil for Tajikistan.

“Current price for one liter of diesel fuel in Kyrgyzstan is 52.00-53.00 som and variation of diesel prices in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan is now very high,” said Kulmatov, “Our border with Uzbekistan is currently more or less controlled, while our common border with Tajikistan is practically open…  The fuel supply situation in Tajikistan will continue to worsen.”

Kyrgyz chief customs officer has pointed to the necessity of resolving the issue in the main, Business AKIpress reports.

It is to be noted that as of May 10, 2011, the exchange rate of the dollar against the Kyrgyz national currency, the som, is 1:46.578, while the exchange rate of the dollar against the Tajik national currency, the somoni, is 1:4.60.  Current price for one liter of diesel fuel in Tajikistan is reportedly 6.00 somoni.