The prices of natural monopolies in Kazakhstan will not grow in 4th quarter

/IRBIS, Sep.17, 99/ - According to REUTERS, which cites Nikolay Rodostovets, the head of anti-monopoly agency, the natural monopolists' prices in the fourth quarter of a current year will stay mainly at the present level. In this connection the government does not expect of a high inflation. The prices of natural monopolists are revised by anti-monopoly agency under their applications quarterly. Prices of electric power transportation by KEGOC, as well as petroleum and gas pipage will not rise in the fourth quarter. Post services tariffs, user's telephone payment and payment for long-distance (including international) calls also remain constant. Prices of water and drain services will rise a little in Astana and Leninogorsk, of warm - in Ust'-Kamenogorsk and Petropavlovsk. Tariffs for transfer and distribution of a thermal energy in Pavlodar oblast have reduced. The anti-monopoly agency has refused application of Almaty Power Consolidation (affiliated company of Belgium Traktebel') about increase of heat and electric power tariffs by approximately 20%. American company AES, which owns in Kazakhstan power stations and distribution networks, also applied to the agency about getting of the exclusive right for the electric power realization, transfer and distribution. Agency has refused this petition, because it could mean restriction of a competitiveness. To support of natural monopolies the government has cancelled the value added tax on emergency losses. Enterprises, which deal with municipal services, have got the 60 days delay for the taxes payment. According to the statistical agency of Kazakhstan, the growth of consumer costs in January - August has made 12.5%. Inflation to the end of the year, under the government's forecast, is expected to be of 16.8%.