Ministry of Finance: There is no reason to raise the price of natural gas, sold through gas filling stations

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Ministry of Finance of Uzbekistan stated that there are no grounds for raising prices for natural gas sold through gas filling stations.

Analysis of prices for natural gas sold through gas filling stations of compressor stations showed that since 16 November 2018 natural gas sold by them has risen in price by 300-400 soums (from 1,700–1800 soums to 2,000–2,200 soums), the Ministry of Finance noted.

Until 16 November, gas was sold to CNG filling stations at a price of 789.74 soums per cubic meter (the price was based on the wholesale selling price for natural gas in the amount of 289.74 soums per cubic meter and a special investment premium in the amount of 500 soums per cubic meter .).

From 16 November 2018, the price is set at 800 soums per cubic meters (including VAT), that is, a special investment premium, previously set at 500 soums per cubic meters was canceled and included in the selling price of natural gas.

The increase in the selling price by the gas filling station by 17% is considered by the Ministry of Finance to be unreasonable, and if prices do not fall to the level of 15 November 2018, they will be forced to make proposals for the withdrawal of illegally obtained profits by increasing the tax on gasoline and diesel and gas for natural gas vehicles or other fiscal measures.

At present, relevant instructions have been given to the State Committee on Competition, Uzgosneftegazinspektsiya and the state tax service authorities to establish strict monitoring of prices on the gas filling stations in order to detect unfair competition with the adoption of measures established by legislation.