Price of Gasoline Set to Rise in Kyrgyzstan

The Ministry of Transport and Communications of Kyrgyzstan has presented a bill, approved by parliament, introducing  new mark-ups on fuel and lubricants. Legislative changes to impose additional charges on each liter of gasoline sold at gas stations, are intended to accrue extra funds from motorists for road maintenance. In addition, a recycling fee will be introduced for processing automobile tires, alongside a fee for waste oil disposal, to be accumulated in a new Road Fund under the Finance Ministry. Other regulations introduced by the Cabinet of Ministers include the necessity for all gas stations to use unique markers for gasoline and diesel ; a move which the State Tax Service believes will ensure fuel production transparency and import accounting. The cost of such labeling is yet to be determined, and as stated by Kanat Eshatov, president of the Association of Oil Traders of Kyrgyzstan, “We don't know how much gasoline prices may go up. It will all depend on the size of these fees. Initially, they said that gasoline labeling, in general, would be free. Then, they said that it would be at the expense of oil traders. Today, we do not know the price of the marker, whether it will be stable or change, and whether it will be subject to stock exchange jumps or stability. The price of gasoline and its stability will depend on this." The cost of gasoline has been rising throughout the year, largely as a result of a general increase in prices and repairs at refineries in Russia, from which Kyrgyzstan receives a significant amount of fuel. Meanwhile, the State Antimonopoly Service of Kyrgyzstan reports that the situation in the market of fuels and lubricants in the country remains stable. Supplies of oil products to Kyrgyzstan are carried out without interruptions, and fuel reserves in the country are designed for 1.5-2 months.

Kyrgyzstan Bans Inspections of Businesses Until End of 2024

On January 9th, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov signed a Decree “On the introduction of a temporary ban (moratorium) on conducting inspections of business entities.” The Decree has been issued with the purpose of stabilizing the economic activities of businesses, ensuring the further development of the business environment, improving the investment climate, and eliminating unjustified and unnecessary interference by government bodies, the presidential press service said in a statement. The moratorium will run until December 31st, 2024. In a post on Facebook, President Japarov called on representatives of small and medium-sized businesses to report unjustified inspections to him. Japarov wrote that only enterprises against which a criminal case has been initiated will be subject to inspections. “If representatives of government agencies come to check businessmen without reason, without identifying signs of an economic crime, you can contact me through the Presidential Administration,” Japarov stated, promised that measures will be taken in such cases.