Astana extends ban on liquefied gas exports for another six months

Kazakhstan has decided to extend its ban on the export of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and cattle steers, while introducing new import controls for slot machines, the government announced following a meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission (IDC) on Foreign Trade and Participation in International Economic Organisations.

According to the statement published on the Prime Minister’s website, the IDC extended the existing ban on LPG exports by both road and rail for another six months. The government said the measure aims to ensure sufficient domestic supply amid a growing number of vehicles using LPG as fuel, describing the resource as being of “social significance.”

The commission also decided to prolong the six-month ban on the export of cattle steers, including to member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). However, the export quota for small livestock, particularly lambs, remains unchanged at 120,000 heads.

In addition, on the initiative of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the IDC approved a temporary six-month regulation introducing a permissive import procedure for slot machines. Under the new rule, only organisations holding a valid state license for gambling activities will be allowed to import gaming equipment into Kazakhstan.

The commission also reviewed the ongoing application of an export customs duty on sunflower seeds, which has been in effect since February 4, 2023. The duty is set at 20%, but not less than 100 euros per ton.

The government noted that the introduction of the duty has helped stabilise domestic prices for sunflower oil, with the average retail price currently around 843 tenge ($1,56) per litre. As a result, Kazakhstan has entered the world’s top ten sunflower oil exporters for the first time, ranking eighth globally.

However, the statement added that despite the duty’s positive impact on domestic price stability, sunflower seed producers have reported that purchase prices during the ongoing harvest season remain below their expected levels.

By Tamilla Hasanova