KULOB, July 25, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Khatlon’s Shuroobod district has produced a total of 4.3367 million somonis’ worth of industrial goods over the first six months of this year, which is 136,000 somonis more than in the same period of 2007, Asia-Plus has learned from Ibrohim Azizov, chairman of the Shuroobod district.   

According to him, it is difficult to develop large industrial production in Shuroobod, which is an agrarian district.  “Therefore, we mainly focus on development of small and medium-sized production,” Azizov said, noting that Shuroobod ahs produced 1,731 tons of flour, 20 tons of vegetable oil, 55 tons of bread over the report period.

On the local coalfield Koni Angisht, the district administrator said it had produced only 320 tons of coal over the same six-month period, which is only 42.2 percent of the January-June 2007 level.  “The former head of the Koni Angisht field have seized $158,000, provided in loans for development of the coalfield, and escaped; the law enforcement authorities are currently seeking him.”