CHINA IS planning to import Turkmen gas via Tajikistan, the head of the Tajik government’s energy department has said. The Minister of Energy, Rashid Gulov, told the Asia-Plus news agency earlier this month that China is planning to complete the construction of the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Tajikistan-China gas pipeline by 2009-2010.
"An agreement on the construction of this gas pipeline via Tajikistan has not been reached with the republic's leadership yet; however, it should be expected in the nearest future," Mr Gulov said. "If China implements the gas pipeline-laying project via our country, then this makes it possible to meet Tajikistan's demand for gas by 70 to 80%," he said.