DUSHANBE, February 25, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- The Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) has endorsed amendments prohibiting privatization of the state unitary enterprise Tajik Aluminum Company (Talco) and the Norak and Roghun hydroelectric power plants (HPP).

A sitting of the fifth session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the third convocation, presided over by its head Saydullo Khairulloyev, was held on February 25.

A bill on amendments to the country’s law on privatization of state-owned properties was an important item on the agenda.  Talco as well as Norak and Roghun HPPs were recognized as facilities of nationwide and strategic significance that are not liable to privatization.

Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, the first deputy head of the State Committee for Investments and State-owned Property Management (GosComInvest), Marouf Samiyev, noted that the list of facilities that were not liable to privatization also included defense facilities and water resources.  

Parliamentarians also considered and ratified a government-to-government agreement between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on national border that was signed in April 2002.