Azernews.Az

Uzbekistan increased tax rates for consumption of gasoline and diesel fuel for motor vehicles starting from January 1 by 25 soums, up to 265 soums per liter of fuel, which previously stood at 240 soums.

The new rates were approved by Uzbek president's decree "On the forecast of key macroeconomic indicators and parameters of Uzbekistan's state budget for 2014".

The tax rate on consumption of liquefied gas and compressed natural gas for motor vehicles rose respectively to 180 soums from 165 soums per liter and to 220 soums from 200 soums per cubic meter, according to the document.

The rates, approved by the decree, are uniform throughout the country.

In 2013, the tax rate on fuel consumption was increased by 40 soums.

Currently, AI-91 gasoline's price stands at 1,835 soums (1,810 soums), and AI-95 gasoline costs 2,020 soums (previously - 1,995 soums).

In recent years Uzbekistan has been facing problems related to utilization of refineries' capacities due to a decrease in liquid hydrocarbons production, and with regard to this Uzbekistan, and especially the country's regions, is experiencing a significant shortage of fuel for motor vehicles.

In 2012, Uzbekistan reduced production of liquid hydrocarbons by 11.6 percent to 3.165 million tons as compared to 2011. The country also reduced oil production by 17.4 percent to 1.561 million tons, as well as gas condensate production by 5.6 percent, to 1.604 million tons. Natural gas production decreased by 0.2 percent, to 62.911 billion cubic meters.

In 2012 gasoline production in Uzbekistan decreased by 6.3 percent, to 1,226 million tons, kerosene production fell by 8.1 percent to 304,500 tons and diesel fuel production decreased by 2.9 percent, to 1.021 million tons. Production of fuel oil also fell by 8.2 percent to 255,200 tons and oil bitumen production decreased by 8.1 percent, to 151,300 tons.

Production of liquefied hydrocarbon gases increased by 5.9 percent to 273,600 tons.

Last summer the Uzbek government allowed UzGazOil LLC (included into Uzbekneftegaz and owns a large chain of gas stations in Uzbekistan) to exceptionally refine the imported crude oil at the country's oil refinery on a give-and-take basis and to sell a part of the obtained products, that is, oil and diesel fuel at the domestic market 'at commercial prices' exceeding the official prices by 1.5-2 times.

At present UzGazOil LLC has a network of 89 gas stations, including 22 gas stations in Tashkent oblast and 33 ones in Tashkent city.