The cancellation of benzene from the Georgian market, which does not comply with European Standards, may cause several negative issues. It may lead to the immediate price rise of the fuel, as well as a mass bankruptcy of small and medium enterprises, the President of the Union of Importers, Exporters and Consumers of Oil Products, Vano Mtvrashvili, informed TrendSpecial Correspondent in Georgia.
This may result in the termination of trade relations regarding oil products with neighboring Azerbaijan, which is the main strategic partner of Georgia, he stated.
From January 2007, the Georgian Government will forbid the sale of the Turkmen benzene A-80, which does not comply with European Standards. According to Mtvrashvili, prohibition of other low quality standards is not intended as this may cause the shutdown of large volume of the Azerbaijani benzene.
At present, the prohibition is intended for the Turkmen benzene, which takes only 8% share in the Georgian market, the expert stressed.