The state-run gas companies Tajikgaz and Uztransgaz signed a new agreement after long talks, Tajikgaz spokesman Amriddin Niezmamadov told Itar-Tass on Saturday.

Uzbekistan will export 650 million cubic meters of gas to Tajikistan with partial prepayment. Uzbek gas suppliers expressed readiness to increase exports if necessary..

The spokesman admitted that new gas export prices would increase prices for individual consumers and industrial enterprises. This year gas prices for population totalled 473 somoni (one US dollar is equal to 3.45 somoni) and for industries - 573 somoni.

Uzbekistan remains Tajikistan’s key gas supplier. Tajikistan’s own big gas fields remain undeveloped over the five-year civil war (1992-1997) that caused multi-billion dollar damage to the national economy.

At present, Russia’s gas giant Gazprom began exploration of Tajikistan’s two oil and gas fields.