TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 23. Uzbekistan commenced imports of gasoline from Russia within the framework of an intergovernmental agreement signed in October 2023, Uzbek Minister of Energy Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov said, Trend reports.
"As of today, deliveries of gasoline from Russian companies to Uzbekistan are already being carried out. As per the agreement on the gas supplies reached in October, the first shipments began to arrive in November," Mirzamakhmudov said during his speech in the legislative chamber of the Uzbek Parliament.
The minister noted that the fuel issues in Uzbekistan were affected by the temporary restriction of gasoline exports imposed by the Russian government at the end of September 2022.
"During the visit of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Russia on October 5-6, an intergovernmental agreement was reached, which implied the opportunity for guaranteed export of gasoline, regardless of the presence or absence of restrictions," Mirzamakhmudov explained.
Meanwhile, Uzbekneftegaz JSC began importing RON-80 gasoline from Russia at the end of January of 2023. The suppliers of gasoline included such companies as Gazpromneft, Tatneft, and a number of private entities. During the winter period, about 100,000 tons of this type of fuel were purchased from the Russian Federation.
Moreover, in August, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed relevant departments and companies to import 120,000 tons of gasoline by the end of 2023 to ensure stable fuel supplies in the autumn-winter period.
The total capacity of Uzbekistan's oil refineries amounts to 10 million tons. In recent years, the country has regularly experienced an acute shortage of gasoline and other types of petroleum products. According to official statistics, oil production in Uzbekistan increased by 1.8 percent to 787,800 tons by the end of 2022, gasoline production - up to 1.26 million tons (+11.5 percent), and diesel fuel - up to 800,100 tons (+5.9 percent).
Uzbekistan’s large enterprises produced 1 million tons of gasoline from January through September of 2023.
As per official statistics, oil production in Uzbekistan increased by 1.8 percent to 787,800 tons by the end of 2022, while gasoline production went up to 1.26 million tons, indicating an increase of 11.5 percent. Additionally, the volume of diesel fuel production increased by 5.9 percent and amounted to 800,100 tons.