The source said that at present, the volumes of the supplies is 28,000 cu.m. per hour. Two weeks ago, the figure was 30,000 cu.m. per hour.

"A cause of the reduction in the volumes of the natural gas supplies is conditioned with the amount of a debt to Uzbek partners, which is currently amounting to about 8m dollars," the source said.

"Tojikgaz’s debtors are mainly industrial enterprises and the country’s population. For example, the debt of the Barq-i Tojik [Tajik Electricity]open joint-stock holding company for natural gas consumption is almost 24m somoni (over 7m dollars)," the state unitary enterprise said.

The source also said that some of industrial companies have suspended their operation because of the reduction of the natural gas imports from the neighbouring country. Specifically, it is related to the Tojiktsement [Tajik cement] and a nitrogen fertilizer plant.

Work of strategic facilities and the development of agriculture in Tajikistan depend on the output of the companies.