Temir Sariev: Kyrgyzstan, as importer of petroleum products, benefits from lower oil prices

"Kyrgyzstan, as an importer of petroleum products, benefited from lower oil prices," the Prime Minister Temir Sariev said at yesterday meeting of the majority coalition, presenting the government's information on the measures aimed at ensuring sustainable socio-economic development of the Kyrgyz Republic in 2016.

The Prime Minister of KR noted, if countries - oil exporters faced with social upheaval, the consumers of oil and gas have benefited from the cheap prices. In particular, Europe has received about $300 billion, and China and India - almost $393 billion. "In Kyrgyzstan, the price of gasoline in 2015 fell by 8-10 soms on average, and for diesel fuel - nearly by 6 soms," Temir Sariev added, explaining that "joining of the EEU allowed to remove tariff barriers on imports of petroleum products from Russia."

The Prime Minister acknowledged that the removal of customs controls at the border and the difference in fuel prices to some extent, created an opportunity for the illegal importation of petroleum products from Kazakhstan. That's why accrued payments decreased by 480 million soms.

"We must openly admit that, despite my constant personal control over the situation, it's impossible to entirely stop the smuggling of petroleum products," Temir Sariev admitted, saying that "our law enforcement and fiscal authorities don't improve its work."

He also said if the situation doesn't change, conclusions and personnel decisions  will be made.