BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 3. It is necessary to reduce the price difference between Kazakhstan and neighboring countries to stabilize the domestic market, Bulat Akchulakov, the acting Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan, said, Trend reports, citing Kazakh media.
He noted that it is necessary to increase the price of RON 92 and RON 93 fuel from the current 182-187 Kazakh tenge ($0.40-0.41), depending on the region, to 205 Kazakh tenge ($0.45). This would be equivalent to an increase of 11 percent.
The amended diesel fuel price will amount to 295 Kazakh tenge ($0.65) per liter, while the current price for this type of fuel is roaming between 230-260 Kazakh tenge ($0.51-$0.57) depending on the region.
The acting minister said that the relevant draft decree will be published today.
“If we do not decrease the price difference, then we shall face fuel shortage very soon. Additionally, this will threaten the economic development and energy security of the country,” Akchulakov concluded.
Fuel shortage is an ongoing problem in Kazakhstan. Earlier, the country extended a 4 months ban on oil export via road transportation. The ban was first imposed in November 2021, and further extended in July 2022.