Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- There are currently no factors in Uzbekistan that could lead to a sharp increase in methane prices, stated Farrukh Karabayev, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Competition Development and Consumer Rights Protection, at a briefing on 2 August.

He noted that the President of Uzbekistan has instructed the Competition Committee, the General Prosecutor’s Office, and the Ministry of Energy to prevent any "unjustified" price hikes for methane. These agencies are conducting systematic monitoring of retail prices through an interagency electronic system that displays data for each gas filling station.

In addition, "preventive and explanatory measures" are being carried out with representatives of automobile gas filling compressor stations (AGFCS) to prevent unjustified price increases.

Karabayev emphasized that after the cessation of state regulation of methane prices, 71% of AGFCS maintained the price at 3,750 soums per cubic meter, while 25% of stations raised prices to 3,800–3,950 soums. He noted that there are currently no grounds for a sharp increase in methane prices.

The Competition Committee is committed to issuing mandatory orders to AGFCS to reduce prices and will apply financial sanctions in cases of unjustified price increases due to collusion or abuse of market power.

It is worth noting that on 1 August, the maximum methane price of 3,750 soums per cubic meter, which was set at the end of May, expired in Uzbekistan. Following this, some regions of the country saw an increase in methane prices.

Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov announced at a meeting on August 1 the end of state regulation of methane prices. The Prime Minister’s press secretary, Bekzod Khidoyatov, stated that the government will no longer intervene in pricing in this sector. However, to protect consumer rights, the president has instructed the government to prevent unjustified price hikes for gas as market mechanisms are implemented.