Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov.19
By Elnur Bahgishov – Trend:
Gasoline prices are very low in Iran, as compared to other countries, Mohammad Sayadi, a member of Iran's Kharazmi University's Energy Economics Group, said.
The world statistics shows that the price for one liter of gasoline stood at seven cents in Iran, while it was 1 cent in Venezuela, ISNA quoted him as saying.
He noted that the unreal prices for gasoline in Iran causes some negative consequences. The huge difference between the gasoline prices in Iran and abroad leads to the increase of smuggling and raises the revenues of smugglers.
“As a result of the strong devaluation, the gap in energy prices, especially gasoline prices in and outside Iran has even more increased. The country officials have stated that the gasoline smuggling has increased from 5 million liters per day last year to 20 million liters per day in the first five months of the current year,” said Sayadi.
The highest price for gasoline has been recorded in Hong Kong with $2.19 per liter, said the expert.
“As for Iran’s neighboring countries, the highest and lowest price for gasoline can be seen in Kuwait and Turkey at 35 cents and 13 cents, respectively. Thus, the huge difference in gasoline prices has attracted the attention of smugglers,” he added.