No Privatisation for Strategic Energy, Metals Plants

The Tajik government has decided that the giant TADAZ aluminium plant and two major hydroelectric power stations will be excluded from future privatisation programmes.

No Privatisation for Strategic Energy, Metals Plants

The Tajik government has decided that the giant TADAZ aluminium plant and two major hydroelectric power stations will be excluded from future privatisation programmes.

Friday, 27 March, 2009
IWPR

IWPR

Institute for War & Peace Reporting

The two power plants are the Nurek scheme and the still incomplete Rogun dam.



Economists who oppose the decision say it is unwise because Tajikistan does not have the resources to develop these major enterprises, and needs commercial investment.



However, reporter Rahmatullo Odinaev found that many of the formerly state firms that have been privatised in recent years are standing idle. One example is a fridge factory in Dushanbe which used to sell its “Pamir” brand products all over the Soviet Union.



Economic Ilhom Ibrahimov says one of the main reasons why such firms have closed their doors is excessive taxation.



Muhammadjon Qosimov, a spokesman for the state property management agency, insists that privatised firms are operating within the requirements imposed on them and making a substantial contribution to government revenues.



Since the Dushanbe factory was sold back in 2003, it has changed hands twice but has not made a single refrigerator.



Ibrahimov argues that such firms should be re-nationalised.





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