Kazakhstan’s economy first returned to growth in the first half of 2021 after months of contraction.

Uzbekneftegaz has produced more than 2.8 bcm of natural gas and 9,400 tonnes of oil in the first months of 2022.

Sources at SOCAR told the Tribune that they viewed the talks with Hungary as a means of soothing European Union concerns that Budapest was significantly boosting shipments of Russian gas.

The central bank forecasts that Uzbekistan's gross domestic product (GDP) will grow by 5.5-6.5 percent this year.