Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan is planning to transfer over 74,000 automobiles to consumption of natural gas in 2013-2017, head of department on scientific-information center of intergovernmental commission on sustainable development in Uzbekistan of the State Nature Protection Committee Bakhodir Rakhmanov said.

In his article, published in newspaper Pravda Vostoka, the cars will be transferred to gas consumption in line with the action programme on protection of environment for 2013-2017, which was approved by the Government in May 2013.

He said that over 161,000 automobiles were transferred to gas consumption within the similar programme for 2008-2012, which was directed at decreasing pollution.

Uzbekistan plans to implement five projects on re-equipment of automobiles to consuming gas within the programme on priorities of development of industry in the country for 2011-2015. By the end of 2015, Uzbekistan plans to open 352 gas filling compressor stations (GFCS).

According to Uzgosneftegazinspektsiya, number of cars, consuming compressed gas, will be increased to 29%. It is planned that the work on development of gas vehicles infrastructure will be boosted due to localization of corresponding spare parts, equipment and materials.

On 27 May, the Government of Uzbekistan approved an action programme on protection of environment of Uzbekistan for 2013-2017.

The State budget will issue about 10.12 billion soums to the programme. Off-budget resources of ministry, departments and other organizations, Fund for Development and Reconstruction of Uzbekistan, credits of banks, resources of individuals and non-governmental legal entities will make up about 79.27 billion soums, US$1.247 billion and 57.49 million euros.

The Government of Uzbekistan is planning to attract foreign investments and resources for US$388.41 million and 140,000 euros, including grants for nature protection projects at the size of US$3.52 million and 140,000 euros.

(Source: Uzdaily.com)