Kazakhstan imposes ban on gasoline import from Russia

27 February 2019 19:28 (UTC+04:00)

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By Abdul Kerimkhanov

Kazakhstan imposed a ban on the import of gasoline from Russia by rail. The order was signed by the Kazakh Minister of Energy, Kanat Bozumbayev, according to the ministry's website.

Earlier, Minister Kanat Bozumbayev explained that since January 2019, there has been a gasoline surplus in Kazakhstan. He added that already at the Shymkent refinery there was a threat of overstocking, filling all tanks and in the country as a whole.

A similar ban on the import of gasoline from Russia was introduced on August 25, 2018. As the Vice-Minister of Energy Bolat Akchulakov explained, Kazakhstan, within the framework of the EAEU, has the right to periodically impose a conventional ban on the import of petroleum products.

In addition to introducing a temporary ban, Kazakhstan, in order to prevent market glutting, will begin exporting petroleum products to the Central Asia countries.

Gasoline in Kazakhstan is almost entirely of local production. In 2018, its production increased by almost a third. In January-November 2018, the country produced 10.6 million tons of oil products, including jet fuel, diesel fuel, gasoline and fuel oil.

Kazakhstan in 2019 plans to supply about 1.2 million tons of gasoline to neighboring Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Besides, a ban was imposed in Kazakhstan on the export of light types of petroleum products. The restriction was valid until January 1, 2019. It was expected that by that time the republic will be able to start independently providing the domestic market with gasoline after the modernization of three large Kazakh refineries is completed.

Earlier, Russia and Kazakhstan signed a protocol allowing Kazakhstan to begin exporting gasoline to other countries. Subsequently, Astana hoped to begin supplying gasoline to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan and bring exports to 1.2 million tons.

Currently, Kazakhstan ranks 10th in the petrol rating from the agency Global Petroleum Prices. The average cost of one liter of this type of automotive fuel in the country is $ 0.48.

Diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Russia were established on October 22, 1992.

The trade turnover of Kazakhstan and Russia amounted to $ 17.6 billion in 2018. This is 7.2 percent higher than the previous year.

According to the figures for January-November 2018, Russia ranks first in terms of imports to Kazakhstan. Russia's share among the countries supplying products to Kazakhstan is 37.3 percent.

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Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94