Syrian government raises unsubsidized gasoline prices by 32 percent amid fuel crisis
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – On Wednesday, the Syrian Department of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection adopted a resolution to raise the price of unsubsidized 95 octane fuel by 35 percent.
The resolution provided to for an increase for unsubsidized 95 octane fuel from 575 Syrian pounds per liter to 850 SYP per liter.
Talal al-Barazi, the Minister of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection, said on Sunday that the solution for the fuel crisis lies in acceptance of price hikes by people who own vehicles.
The resolution does not include subsidized 90 octane fuel, which is sold in gas stations for 250 SYP per liter via smartcards.
The smartcard is a new mechanism established by the Syrian government to provide low-cost necessities to people who live in their regions, but this mechanism does not allow people to get more than the allocated quantities for each family.
The resolution asked gas station owners to follow the new prices, and warned “anyone who violates its provisions” of sanctions and accountability.
It is worth noting that Damascus’ streets still have queues of vehicles waiting in front of gas stations to get their appropriations of gasoline.
The fuel crisis began to ease recently after huge amounts of fuel entered the country coming from the Iraqi’s Popular Mobilization Units’ regions.
The Syrian Ministry of Oil and Mineral Recourses decided on Monday to increase the appropriations for each vehicle from 30 to 40 liters per week.
The administration of Syria’s Baniyas Refinery declared last week the beginning of gasoline pumping after a period of suspension for the purpose of annual maintenance.
The refinery produces less than a quarter of market demand, which is more than 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) to cover the local market, according to economists.