Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 18
By Maksim Tsurkov – Trend:
Azerbaijan will import 4,000 tons of AI-92 gasoline in the coming days, the country’s state oil company SOCAR said in a message posted on its website Aug. 18.
The message said the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers’ decree on canceling the customs duty on the gasoline import was made on the basis of SOCAR’s appeal in connection with repair works at the Heydar Aliyev Baku Oil Refinery, carried out as a part of its modernization.
Gasoline imports will be continued until resumption of production at the Heydar Aliyev Baku Oil Refinery, according to the message.
“Usually, the repair process takes 25-30 days, but possible delays have been taken into account,” said the message.
It was noted that prior to the repair works, the Heydar Aliyev Baku Oil Refinery completely met the country’s demand for gasoline, and even created certain reserves.
“As of Aug. 16, the average gasoline consumption was 3,900 tons per day, and this demand was met by the existing reserves,” said the message. “Currently, SOCAR has reserves of AI-92 gasoline for another 8-10 days. Considering this, SOCAR appealed to Azerbaijan’s Cabinet Ministers with a request to abolish the customs duties and excise taxes on the import of gasoline in order to minimize the company’s financial losses during the plant’s repair period, since the gasoline price in the domestic market is regulated by the state and will remain stable.”
SOCAR also said the decree of the Cabinet of Ministers will help maintain stability in the domestic market and avoid problems with the fuel supply.
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