Belarus, China begin exporting fuels and lubricants to Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK. July 21 (Interfax) - Belarus and China have begun supplying fuels and lubricants to Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyz Energy Minister Altynbek Rysbekov said at a press conference on Tuesday.

"The first shipments of fuels and lubricants from Belarus have already arrived in Kyrgyzstan, and several more railcars are on their way," Rysbekov said.

He said that all transit arrangements via Russia had been made and that the shipments from Belarus were being transported as part of a signed agreement.

China has already shipped its first batch of fuel, which is now being delivered to Kyrgyzstan via road transport. In order to speed up the delivery, the Cabinet of Ministers has instructed government bodies to create a "green corridor" for this cargo.

Kyrgyzstan's Cabinet of Ministers had previously initiated talks on imports of fuels and lubricants from alternative sources, with possible options including Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

The cabinet enforced a full ban on exporting fuel from Kyrgyzstan and simplified import regulations.

Russia is the main supplier of fuels and lubricants to Kyrgyzstan, making up around 90%-95% of the country's total petroleum product imports.