TASHKENT, October 23. /TASS/. Uzbekistan’s gas imports soared by 83% year-on-year in January-September, the press service of the statistics agency under the President of Uzbekistan reported.
"In January-September 2023, Uzbekistan imported gas worth $487.9 million, which is 83.4% more than in the same period last year. Exports over the same period decreased by 48.2% to $411.7 million That means that imports exceeded exports by 76.2 million," according to a statement on the website of the statistics agency.
Experts believe that in the coming years, Uzbekistan, which has been a major gas exporter for many decades, will turn into an importer. In particular, the country has already concluded a contract with Turkmenistan for the supply of gas in the amount of up to 2 billion cubic meters per year. According to Energy Minister Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov, the parties are working on a long-term contract, which envisages an increase in supply volumes.
Uzbekistan also signed a two-year contract with Gazprom, according to which it will receive 2.8 billion cubic meters of gas per year. At the same time, the Uzbek Energy Minister said that negotiations are underway with the Russian gas giant on concluding medium-and long-term contracts for gas supply.
Russian gas is supplied to Uzbekistan in reverse mode through the system of the Central Asia - Center gas pipeline, built in Soviet times, in transit through the territory of Kazakhstan.