Published 25th July, 2011
Russia and Kazakhstan are not officially exporting any petroleum products to neighbouring Kyrgyzstan.
Kazakhstan implemented the ban earlier this year, with Russia following in May and extending the ban again in June. However, the Head of Kyrgyzstan's Oil Traders Association assured local media that the ban is unlikely to prompt a sharp increase in fuel prices.
Although imports of fuel and lubes decreased from January to June this year, with petroleum products down more than 118 thousand tonnes, the Association believes its direct links with Russian fuel producers, through Gazprom Neft Asia will help it to maintain supplies and keep prices from spiralling.
However, Kyrgyzstan's State Antitrust Agency reports that fuel prices are continuing to rise by as much as 0.4 soms (almost 1 US cent) a week.