Uzbekistan to sell stakes in synthetic fuel plant, UMS, UzAuto, Navoiyazot, TPPs
TASHKENT. April 23 (Interfax) -Uzbekistan will put state stakes in 29 large enterprises up for sale in 2025-2026.
"Blocks of shares in 29 large government-related enterprises will be put up for sale at public auctions with the involvement of authoritative international professional consultants," says a decree signed by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, published on the national legislation database website (lex.uz).
The country plans in 2025-2026 to sell 100% of synthetic fuel plant Uzbekistan GTL LLC, Universal Mobile Systems (UMS) and nine thermal power plants, 99.7% of UzAuto Motors JSC (formerly GM Uzbekistan), 91% of Uzbek Metallurgical Plant and 75% of Navoiyazot chemical plant. The list includes machine-building, construction and financial services enterprises.
The TPPs will be offered at public auctions on the international market from July 1, 2025, taking into account proposals by professional consultants and based on a guarantee of preliminary interest from international investment funds.
The decree also introduces a moratorium until 2030 on the creation of enterprises with state participation.
The State Privatization Commission, chaired by Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, has been given 10 days to approve road maps for putting state-owned stakes up for auction, including a specific plan of action.
The $3.42 billion Uzbekistan GTL gas-to-liquids plant in the Qashqadaryo Province in southwest Uzbekistan was commissioned in December 2021. The plant produces liquid synthetic fuel from stripped methane from the Shurtan Gas Chemical Complex. The plant is capable of processing 3.6 billion cubic meters of gas a year into 307,000 tonnes of aviation kerosene, 724,000 tonnes of diesel fuel, 437,000 tonnes of naphtha and 53,000 tonnes of liquefied gas.
UMS began life in December 2014 as a joint venture between Russia's MTS (50.01%) and the Uzbek IT and Communications Ministry's Center for Radio Communications, Broadcasting and Television (CRRT, 49.99%). MTS sold its stake in the company to CRRT in August 2016. Uzbekistan created a Digital Economy Development Fund In November 2018 and transferred 100% of UMS to it.
The Uzmetkombinat steel works is Uzbekistan's oldest and only producer of long steel products and grinding balls, using scrap metal as raw material.
Navoiyazot, Uzbekistan's biggest chemical plant, commissioned in 1964. It specializes in the production of nitrogen fertilizers and nitron fiber, as well as integral organic synthesis products.
UzAuto currently produces 10 Chevrolet and Ravon automobiles at three production sites. Its products dominate the republic's automobile market.