Kazakh authorities want to introduce differentiated prices for diesel fuel for transit transport and the cost of fuel at border gas stations will differ depending on the residence of the purchased volumes and modes of transport, Sputnik-Kazakhstan reported on August 16.
In a report released at a government session, the Minister of Energy Bolat Akchulakov noted that such a measure had been offered to prevent shortage of diesel fuel in the country. According to him, a draft order has been developed, under which:
👉 A daily spend limit for Kazakh nationals having a driver’s license will be 100 liters of diesel fuel at the rate of 230-250 tenge (equivalent to about US$0.5), and for truck drivers, having a driver's license and documents confirming the Kazakhstan registration of a vehicle, the daily spend limit will be 300 liters.
👉 To the rest of the group of persons also in excess of the specified volumes diesel fuel will be sold at 450 tenge (equivalent to US$0.9) per liter.
After the Energy Minister’s report, Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov ordered the Ministry of Energy to take measures prevent shortages of fuels and fuel lubricants.
Kazakh authorities have repeatedly drawn attention the fact that gasoline and diesel fuel in Kazakhstan are cheaper than in neighboring countries, particularly in Russia. Because of this, many residents of border areas and transit vehicles prefer to refuel in Kazakhstan.
Border guards have reportedly calculated that about 4,500 trucks enter the country every day, with about 70 percent of them being foreign vehicles. As a result, low prices at gas stations reportedly lead to an increase in average monthly consumption by 120,000 tons.
Because of this situation, a number of regions of Kazakhstan have already faced a shortage of fuel.