The unstable situation in foreign markets due to the coronavirus pandemic has been affecting the export of natural gas from Uzbekistan. This was discussed at a meeting chaired by the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Thursday, the Uzbekistan 24 reported.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev got acquainted with new projects in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries, electrical engineering and pharmaceutical industries via videoconference.

At present, the export of natural gas to China has decreased by 3 times, and to Russia has been completely stopped, the President noted.

“In this regard, our country is heading for deep processing and monetization of natural gas and all raw materials in general. Measures are being taken to increase economic efficiency through the production of import-substituting and export-oriented finished products,” the TV report said.

In early March, the chairman of Uztransgaz, Ulugbek Sayidov told that due to the lockdown, China temporarily reduced the intake of natural gas, including the Uzbek gas.

According to him, Uztransgaz supplies about 40 billion cubic meters (BCM) of gas to the domestic market. In addition, 6 BCM gas was transported from Turkmenistan to Russia through Kazakhstan. About 35-38 BCM are transported via JV Asia Trans Gas (between the Chinese TAPLINE CNPC and Uzbekneftegaz), which manages the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China gas transmission system.

Under the gas supply deals in 2020, it was planned to export about 2-6 BCM to China, about 60 million cubic meters to Kyrgyzstan, and 200 million cubic meters to Tajikistan.

Earlier, the PM Abdulla Aripov said that by 2025 measures would be taken to stop the export of natural gas and for its complete processing within the country, as well as to expand the production of value-added products.