Kazakhstan fuel stations ask to lessen the difference between fuel prices in Russia and Kazakhstan

Owners of Kazakhstan fuel stations call for less difference in fuel prices between Kazakhstan and Russia, Tengrinews.kz reports citing Chairman of Kazakhstan Fuel Association Bolat Auyetayev. “There has been certain instability in the fuel market recently. The companies specializing in fuel sales are forced to lower their sales because of the lack of required amount of fuel. We think that this situation emerged because of the state regulation of prices and imbalance between the prices in Russia and Kazakhstan, as well as because of a decrease of import from Russia. Another big problem is deficiency of railroad cisterns for delivery of oil products to the regions,” Auyetayev said. The Association suggests to reduce the fuel prices difference between Kazakhstan and Russia to 10 percent. “Currently it is at 20-30 percent, depending on the fuel types. If we had been working jointly with we could have influenced the decisions,” he assured. According to Bolat Auyetayev, government regulation affected only the retail fuel stations. No one controls the wholesale dealers. The Association calls for a state regulation of the wholesale dealers as well. The Association was registered in Kazakhstan Ministry of Justice on January 12. It includes 18 major operators of fuel stations of Astana, Almaty and Kokshetau. The association’s goal is to establish a cooperation with the state authorities accountable for control, production and turnover of oil products, work on joint solution of issues related to continuous fuel supplies, represent and protect interests of the fuel market’s player, as well as participate in development of amendments and draft laws on oil products turnover and regulatory acts related to activities of fuel stations.