UAE government takes steps to curb petrol smuggling

The government is taking necessary action to prevent smuggling of petrol and diesel, a top official from the Ministry of Energy said. "Smuggling of oil is risky and jeopardises the safety of the road and people travelling on the road. The authorities in the UAE are taking necessary action to arrest these people," said Dr Mattar Al Neyadi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Energy and Head of Fuel Price Committee.

He said the ministry is in the process of drafting a detailed legislation on how to deal with refinery products and prevent smuggling.

"The legislation has details on how to transport diesel, petrol and gas cylinders and where to buy these. It also has a provision on how to store the products safely. The legislation will come out any time in the near future." He said people within the GCC have the liberty of travel and can fill their tanks wherever they want. "I don't think that would be against the rules."

Meanwhile, media reports in Oman said members of the Majlis Al Shura have raised concerns about smuggling of refinery products. Sultan Bin Majid Al Ibri, Majlis Al Shura member, representing the province of Ibri, has questioned the rationale behind opening three filling stations in Al Rawda in the province of Mahda in Buraimi, a border area with Dubai, which has a very small population, a report said.

On August 1, petrol prices in UAE went up, following the removal of government subsidies on fuel. The new prices for the month of August were announced by the Ministry of Energy on July 27 after a high-level meeting with the officials from the distribution companies and the Ministry of Finance. Diesel prices have been reduced from Dh2.90 to Dh2.05 per litre. The price of diesel has been reduced by 85 fils per litre.