DUSHANBE, July 9, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Tajik Aluminum Company (Talco) has entered a new phase of development, intensifying foreign economic and trade relations, Sabohat Qodirova, a spokesman for Talco, said. 

According to her, profitability and the level of modernization of the company have increased over the last three years.

“Over the first six months of this year alone, Talco’s external trade turnover has amounted to $829.7 million, which is $45.2 million more than in the same period of 2007,” Qodirova said, noting that the trade balance for January-June 2008 was positive, reaching $319.8 million.  

Talco remains the main consumer of domestic power, using more than 36 percent of the annual generation of electricity.    

The company’s tasks for the foreseeable future include introduction of the Yovon heat and power station into commission, construction of new plants for production of cryolite and aluminum fluoride, as well as development of alumina and cola deposits in Tajikistan, the spokeswoman said.  

She added that the enterprise modernization process is under way.  The company, in particular, purchased three Chinese-made transformers and is completing introduction of special system that will allow reducing dynamic load on equipment of the compressor station and thereby extend its service life.  

            In accordance with the modernization plan for 2008, Talco is currently seeking a contract for delivery of $1 million worth of equipment for the enterprise central laboratory.  

According to press release issued by Talco, an expected disbursement of funds for this year will amount to $12million-$15 million.  It is to be noted that last year, some $8 million were spent under the equipment restoration and modernization program, press release said.  

Renewal of capacities allows improving technical-economic indicators of production having a wholesome effect on financial indicators, according to press release.  Press release noted that the mentioned success had become possible due to change of status of the company as well as creation of a new system of management and introduction of new energy-efficient technologies. 

In a little over three years, the production indicators rose 50 percent and profitability increased due to high world aluminum prices.   Over this period, Talco has pent for repair-and-renewal operations and modernization, including acquisition of new equipment and technologies, nearly $100 million.