Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov met with a group of journalists and bloggers and discussed issues in the energy sector.

“The information that Uzbekistan allegedly transferred the exclusive right to all gas and oil fields to companies associated with Russia for 35 years is false and misinterpreted information. The main part of the developed gas and oil fields in Uzbekistan belongs to Uzbekneftegaz,” the Minister said.

“We are talking about the 25 Years of Independence gas field (formerly known as Gajak), located in Baysun district of Surkhandarya region. That is, investors are given the right to develop and manage it within a specified period, Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov said.

At the same time, according to the signed agreement, funds will not be spent on the development of this field from the budget of Uzbekistan or loans will be taken under state guarantees. All costs are 100 percent covered by investors.”

Showing journalists the agreement signed with investors, the minister noted that according to it, at least 50 percent of the net income from the field will go to the budget of Uzbekistan.