Uzbekistan begins privatisation and IPO preparations for GTL plant

Preparations have begun to privatise the Uzbekistan GTL plant in Uzbekistan, whose construction cost at least $3.42 billion. The State Assets Management Agency (DABA) is also considering placing the company's shares through an initial public offering (IPO), and says international investors have expressed interest. However, the plant's financial indicators were not disclosed at a press conference.

At a press conference on 8 October, DABA head Sohibjon Murodov spoke about the privatisation process and answered questions on debt repayment. According to Murodov, a privatisation concept has been developed, and an audit must be carried out before any sale. Under a presidential decree of 21 April 2025, 100 percent of the plant, which belongs to Uzbekneftegaz, is to be privatised. However, the plant had not yet been put up for sale by October.

The plant is located in Kashkadarya region, near the Shurtan gas-chemical complex, and was launched by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in December 2021. According to data published on the Uzbekistan GTL website, the outstanding principal debt stood at $838.2 million as of 16 June 2026. Murodov said he did not have direct information on the plant's current financial position and promised that the data would be published through the agency's social media channel.