“We have invested over EUR20 million so far in Romania, and plan to open other 20 stations,” said Karimov. The group currently has 14 gas stations.
The group initially planned to open 300 gas stations in Romania but the figure depends on several factors, such as the changing economic conditions and the market status, said Karimov.
SOCAR will most probably open its first gas station in Bucharest in 2013.
On the other hand, Karimov said that SOCAR is not currently interested in the local refining sector as it focuses on the recent $2 billion privatization project of a refinery in Turkey.