Interfax quoted Tajidtransgaz said in a statement that Uzbekistan has halted supplies of natural gas to Tajikistan because of debts exceeding USD 18 million.

Tajidtransgaz said "The company Uztransgaz has fully stopped gas supplies to Tajikistan's gas distribution networks. It said the main reason for the suspension of gas supplies is Tajiktransgaz debt amounting at the present time to more than USD 18 million."

Tajiktransgaz explains its debt by arrears in payments within the country which primarily means major enterprises' debts for already supplied gas.

Tajikistan produced 10.8 million cubic meters and imported 168 million cubic meters of gas from Uzbekistan in January to August 2009. The country imports natural gas solely from Uzbekistan.

(Sourced from Interfax)