In June 2023, Uzbekistan’s company, Uzbekistan GTL, shipped 3,400 tons of synthetic diesel in 67 train wagons to an undisclosed Turkish company that supplies fuel to Afghanistan. However, reportedly, Afghanistan returned the diesel due to quality concerns. Uzbek officials argue that the diesel meets European standards and mention that countries like Estonia, Georgia, and Tajikistan had previously ordered and liked this diesel.

The Uzbek official disputes that the diesel’s return is unrelated to quality, attributing it to some actors opposing Uzbekistan’s entry into the Afghan market. They acknowledge the challenges of entering a new market but express determination to persist in their efforts.

It’s noteworthy that the Uzbekistan GTL plant, inaugurated by the President of Uzbekistan in late 2021, is valued at $3.42 billion. While the plant aimed to annually produce oil products and hydrocarbons worth over $1 billion, it hasn’t reached these targets.