Damascus, Sept. 20 (SANA) Syria’s People’s Assembly on Sunday is holding a hearing with Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir over recent increases in fuel prices, following government measures aimed at maintaining supplies and providing lower-priced diesel for eligible consumers.
The hearing is expected to focus on the Energy Ministry’s explanation for the price increases and the circumstances behind the latest petroleum products price bulletin.
The People’s Assembly Bureau approved the hearing last Monday at the request of Energy Committee Chair Iqbal Mohammad Mansour. The hearing is being held under Article 30 of the Constitutional Declaration and Article 168 of the assembly’s rules of procedure.
Ministry cites higher supply costs
The Permanent Committee for Pricing Petroleum Products and Mineral Resources issued a temporary price bulletin last Saturday.
The Energy Ministry attributed the increases to an exceptional rise in the global cost of securing petroleum products, compounded by scheduled maintenance at the Baniyas refinery.
The ministry said the adjustment was temporary and intended to maintain supplies and ensure fuel remains available on the domestic market.
Government plans lower-priced diesel
Al-Bashir said at a Sept. 17 news conference with Syrian Petroleum Company CEO Youssef Qablawi that several grades of diesel would be offered at different prices and specifications to ease costs for consumers.
Several domestic refineries are expected to resume operations with a combined crude-processing capacity of up to 35,000 barrels per day under the management and supervision of the Syrian Petroleum Company, al-Bashir said.
He said their entire diesel output would be allocated to a subsidized grade priced at 115 Syrian pounds per liter for heating, agriculture and eligible groups.
Distribution will be coordinated among the Syrian Petroleum Company, provincial authorities and other relevant bodies to ensure the subsidized fuel reaches eligible recipients, he added.
The minister said an additional grade of diesel had been secured at 150 Syrian pounds per liter in cooperation with friendly countries. It will be designated for certain production and service uses, as well as engineering equipment and heavy machinery, while standard-specification diesel will continue to be available at 175 Syrian pounds per liter.
R.A/ABD
