The Committee for Competition Development and Consumer Rights engaged in an open dialogue with entrepreneurs involved in importing automotive gasoline to Uzbekistan. Deputy chairmen Asadulla Kayumov and Farrukh Karabayev met to identify systemic issues in the sector and propose solutions to increase gasoline imports.
Business representatives highlighted seven main problems, including high credit burden from banks for gasoline importers and short deadlines for VAT payment on imported fuel. They also pointed out the high cost of railway logistics, with fuel delivery from Russia to the Kazakhstan border in Keles amounting to $150 per ton for a 1700 km distance.
Despite having all documents confirming compliance with standards and quality of Russian gasoline imports, additional mandatory certification is conducted upon arrival in Uzbekistan. Issues arise during money transfers to foreign suppliers due to geopolitical restrictions, leading to delayed deliveries and premature taxation before product realization.
Furthermore, businesses noted a lack of storage capacity for large gasoline shipments upon import and the expensive rental of existing storage facilities. Purchasing gasoline from Turkmenistan poses time-consuming challenges, resulting in tied-up working capital.
In 2023, Uzbekistan produced 1.33 million tons of automotive gasoline, a 6% increase compared to 2022.
