Uzbekistan receives first gasoline shipments from Russia in November as part of intergovernmental agreement
TASHKENT. Nov 23 (Interfax) - In November, Uzbekistan received its first shipments of gasoline from Russia as part of an intergovernmental agreement signed in October, Uzbek Energy Minister Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov said in the republic's parliament.
"Today, shipments of imported gasoline from Russian companies have begun thanks to the agreement reached in October," he said.
Mirzamakhmudov said that an intergovernmental agreement making it possible to import gasoline from Russia was signed during the visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Moscow on October 5-6 of this year.
A total of 371,000 tonnes of gasoline is planned for import, the minister said. Of this volume, 100,000 tonnes will be brought in by Uzbekneftegaz JSC, and another 270,000 tonnes should be delivered by private companies.
Meanwhile, at the end of October, Uzbekneftegaz JSC announced the start of imports of high-octane AI-100 gasoline from Russia.
As reported, as of September 21 in Russia there is a ban on the export of diesel fuel and gasoline. An exception exists for shipments to EAEU countries according to indicative balances or protocols provided for in intergovernmental agreements, etc.
On October 6, the export of Russian diesel fuel delivered to seaports by pipeline was allowed, provided that the manufacturer supply at least 50% of the produced diesel fuel to the domestic market. The export of gasoline is currently totally banned.
During the President of Uzbekistan's visit to Russia, agreements were signed between the governments of the two countries on expanding cooperation in the field of oil supplies. In addition, the Ministries of Transport of Uzbekistan and Russia signed an agreement on the supply of petroleum products by rail.
The total capacity of oil refineries in Uzbekistan is about 10 million tonnes; they are currently underutilized due to a lack of raw materials. In recent years, the country has regularly experienced acute shortages of gasoline and other petroleum products.
Official statistics show that oil production in Uzbekistan at the end of 2022 increased 1.8% to 787,800 tonnes, gasoline production rose 11.5% to 1.26 million tonnes, and diesel fuel increased 5.9 % to 800.100 tonnes.
By the end of the year, the republic plans to produce up to 1.329 million tonnes of gasoline by refining local and imported oil, the Energy Ministry said.
