Uzbekistan Boosts Gas Exports to China
Uzbekistan’s Gas Exports Revenue Decreases by More Than Half
Uzbekistan’s revenue from gas exports has significantly decreased since the beginning of the year, with a decrease of more than half. In October, the country’s gas supplies to China saw a slight increase, according to data from the Chinese General Administration of Customs.
During the month, revenue from the export of gas amounted to $42.24 million, which is 1.5% more than in September. However, this amount remains significantly lower than the revenue in the summer months. In comparison to neighboring Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan’s revenue is more than three times less, as Kazakhstan received $131.3 million from gas exports.
Turkmenistan remains the leading supplier of pipeline gas to China, earning $666.1 million in October alone. Russia and Myanmar also secured top positions in the top 5 gas suppliers to China.
Since the beginning of the year, China has received gas from Uzbekistan for $454.4 million, a significant decrease from the $916.7 million in the same period a year earlier.
Over the past ten months, Uzbekistan has been consolidating its status as a gas importer, increasing fuel imports from Turkmenistan and beginning gas imports from Russia through Kazakhstan via the Central Asia-Center pipeline system.
Uzbekistan’s President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has emphasized the country’s shift from exporting gas as a raw material to the processing of gas into products with high added value. This move is exemplified by the ongoing construction of the Surkhan gas chemical complex near the M25 field.
The decrease in revenue from gas exports and the focus on adding value to gas products indicate Uzbekistan’s shift towards a more value-added approach in the gas industry.
