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Previously, only individual entrepreneurs and legal entities could sell on the Ozon marketplace in Uzbekistan. Now self-employed individuals can also sell there — all product categories are available to them, as well as sales models under the FBS and FBO schemes (advertising).
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the government is considering a proposal to introduce a moratorium on zeroing out the fuel damper mechanism. The damper, in effect since 2019, pays oil companies to keep domestic fuel prices down when export netbacks are high, but is not paid when exchange prices exceed normative thresholds. A previous moratorium was introduced from October 2025 to May 1, 2026 amid record fuel prices on the St. Petersburg exchange.
At a business forum in Astana attended by King Philippe, Tokayev proposed a partnership between the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Kazakhstan's Caspian ports. Logistics, critical raw materials and 17 agreements were discussed; the port talks were confirmed by the head of Samruk-Kazyna.
The International Energy Agency has warned that the diesel market will remain tight at least until 2027, and wholesale diesel prices in Europe may rise again in the coming weeks. The recovery of supplies from the Persian Gulf has not eliminated the shortage: production is still below global demand, Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, and the Houthis are attacking Saudi facilities.
A new gas condensate field named “Borisoy” has been discovered in Shurtan, Guzar district of the Kashkadarya region. During well testing, specialists obtained a commercial inflow of gas and condensate of 300–400 thousand cubic meters per day, Uzbekneftegaz reports. Exploratory drilling began on August 5 by Uzneftburgilash ishlari; the well was drilled to a depth of 3,159 meters, and tests showed hydrocarbon inflow from carbonate deposits at 2,842–3,001 meters. Specialists are now studying the productive layers and assessing the field’s potential. After testing, the gas is planned to be processed and supplied to consumers from October 15. A second exploratory well is planned by year-end to further study the field’s geology and hydrocarbon potential.
Uzbekistan will allocate 1.7 trillion soums for five additional support measures for the population during energy reforms, the Social Protection Agency reported. Measures include increased electricity consumption norms, expanded and extended compensations, and home insulation.
Dutch ASML reported record third-quarter sales of €11.66 billion, a doubling of net profit to €5 billion, and raised its 2026 forecast. The company warned that its current production plans will not cover customer demand in 2027–2028 due to AI investments and is considering additional capacity expansion.
Irish Minister Neale Richmond rejected criticism of the proposal for the seven-year EU budget, which cut the draft by €141 billion to €1.7 trillion. Ireland, holding the rotating presidency of the EU Council, presented the compromise ahead of the summit.
Oil prices rose in morning trading on Wednesday following Reuters reports of Iran attacking two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent surpassed $107 per barrel, WTI reached $94.64. The Houthi-Saudi Arabia conflict added supply risks: an attack on an Aramco building caused a 'limited fire', and debris from intercepted rockets injured four people in Riyadh. European TTF gas futures hit a four-year high, European indices opened higher, and Asian trading was mixed.
In 2025, public spending on education in Uzbekistan reached 84.2 trillion soums, 2.1 times more than in 2021, according to the National Statistics Committee. Spending rose steadily from 39.6 trillion soums in 2021 to 71.2 trillion in 2024, an increase of 44.6 trillion soums over five years.
The US Treasury on Tuesday, October 14, 2026, imposed a $1.2 billion fine on Bank of America for failures in its anti-money laundering system. The bank also reached an $11.6 million agreement with OFAC over sanctions violations. This is the third-largest fine in the department's history.
TTF futures rose to €87.20 per MWh amid the Middle East conflict and low gas storage levels in the EU. According to HEPI, household tariffs in European capitals differ markedly: the most expensive electricity is in Brussels, the most expensive gas is in Stockholm. Adjusted for purchasing power, Bucharest and Stockholm lead.
Uzbekistan plans to restore 3.7 million hectares of pastures by 2027, with 620 thousand hectares to be covered by the end of 2026. Of the country's 21.255 million hectares of pastures, only 40% are used effectively. Plans include drilling 448 wells, repairing 1.6 thousand wells, and building 161 hydraulic structures this year plus 81 each in 2027 and 2028, restoring 969 thousand hectares. 627 thousand hectares will be leased free of charge for 49 years to 470 mahallas, and rights of actual users will be formalized on 623 thousand hectares. 15 livestock complexes for over 55 thousand head of livestock will be built in three regions.
JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs increased quarterly profit year over year amid resilient consumer spending and AI investments. At the same time, JPMorgan missed analysts' expectations for the first time in nearly three years, and banks warned of risks from high rates and inflation.
The European Commission disputed the statement by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak that the EU has purchased $320.7 billion worth of Russian energy resources since 2022. According to Eurostat data (COMEXT), payments from March 2022 to July 2026 amounted to €197 billion ($209 billion). US President Donald Trump cited his own figure — $250 billion. The discrepancies reflect competing narratives about the EU's dependence on Russian energy.
Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis announced a 30% increase in the heating allowance compared to last year and a direct subsidy on heating oil at the pump. The ministry will present details of the measure on Wednesday. The decision comes amid rising fuel prices in Europe: Germany temporarily cut its excise tax by 17 cents per liter from October 1, and Spain extended its tax discounts — both measures remain in effect until the end of December.
