DUSHANBE, July 20, 2015, Asia-Plus -- The Tax Committee under the Government of Tajikistan and Tajik mobile phone operator, Babilon-Mobile, have reportedly reached an agreement on phased payment of Babilon-Mobile’s tax debts.

In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, the Tax Committee head Nusratullo Davlatzoda noted on July 20 that they have reached an agreement on phased payment of Babilon-Mobile’s tax debt amounting to 341 million somoni.

Over the past two months, Babilon-Mobile has reportedly repaid 5 million somoni and the remaining 336 million somoni should be repaid within the next few months.

We will recall that Tajik tax chief Nusratullo Davlatzoda told reporters in Dushanbe on January 19 that Babilon-Mobile has lost a tax debt case in the Higher Economic Court.  “Under the ruling handed down by the Higher Economic Court, Babilon-Mobile must pay some 341 million somoni to the country’s budget,” Davlatzoda said, noting that the mobile phone operator will pay the amount piecemeal.

Tajik tax chief further noted that Hightronic, a certain private company of Russian origin registered in the British Virgin Islands, assumed the 75% ownership interest in Babilon-Mobile.

According to the Tax Committee, Babilon-Mobile’s tax debts have accrued since 2011.  Babilon-Mobile is on the register of dominants of the country’s telecommunications market, and therefore, before introducing new fees the company must coordinate them with the antimonopoly agency.  Babilon-Mobile has not coordinated its fees with the antimonopoly agency, the tax officials noted.