Since the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival 2022, gasoline prices have increased. The closure of many petrol and oil stores is a hot issue that has received the attention of public opinion. People and enterprises worried that high gasoline prices may have a negative impact on socio-economic development.
Seeking adaptive solutions
Domestic gasoline prices have reached the highest level within 8 years. This puts pressure on commodity prices, especially in areas that are directly impacted such as logistics. Pham Van Xo, Chairman of Binh Duong Export Association said that province-based enterprises providing transportation services and logistics systems have expressed concern right after receiving information that the retail price of RON95 gasoline increased to VND 26,280 per liter from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Finance at 15 pm on February 21.The sudden increase in gasoline prices has greatly affected enterprises in general and transportation, logistics sector. This is because gasoline costs account for more than 30% of the total cost of logistics today. “Enterprises are worried that the continuous increase in petrol prices will put great pressure on transportation and logistics sector. This has forced us to "tighten our belts", cutting all costs to adapt and survive", Mr. Xo shared.
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Provincial market management officers strengthen inspection of petrol and oil supply at local stores
Despite anticipating an increase in gasoline prices, people, small traders and enterprises are "stunned" by the actual spending problem that is becoming a burden. Tran Thanh Trong, General Director of Sang Ban Mai Joint Stock Company in Ben Cat town said: "The cost of domestic logistics has been high for a long time. Currently, transport companies have quoted an increase of 5%-10% when gasoline prices are on increase. Along with this, the prices of input materials have also increased by 5% or above. Workers have also proposed the company to increase travel allowances. This has been pressure on manufacturing enterprises like us.”
Currently, province-based enterprises are trying their best, calling for sharing from customers and partners to well implement socio-economic recovery and development in accordance with the local goals. According to Mr. Trong, province-based enterprises also need to work together with the province to supply petroleum to transport enterprises and people to avoid gasoline shortages, affecting daily life and production.
Whilst, Trinh Dinh Tuan, Deputy Director of Song Be Petroleum Company said that the company has made every effort to supply enough gasoline for the company's system of stores and agents. “Every day, our petrol supply increases by 30%-40% compared to the same period last year at people’ demand for traveling, enterprises’ production-business activities. However, this is also pressure for the company at the moment. We really hope that during the current period, province-based enterprises will join hands in ensuring adequate supply of gasoline for the local market," said Mr. Tuan.
No shortage
Leaders of provincial Department of Industry and Trade (DoIT) confirmed that there was no shortage of gasoline in the province. And provincial DoIT has taken drastic action to solve the local gasoline shortage with many measures. According to provincial DoIT, as of February 21 morning, only two units, namely Ho Buu Co., Ltd and Phu Loi Petroleum Co. Ltd., had no gasoline left in stock. Whilst, other 6 units, including Thanh Le Import-Export Trading Corporation, Song Be Petroleum One-Member Co.Ltd., Phuc Thinh Services Development Investment Co., Ltd., Thuan An General Trading Joint Stock Company, Huy Hong Co., Ltd., Truc Van Trading Co., Ltd. still have petroleum with a total amount of 18,904 cubic meters. According to calculations, this amount of gasoline alone has ensured supply for people and enterprises in the province for at least 10 days. The local petrol enterprises are still importing goods to their warehouses. Therefore, there is no shortage of petroleum in the province.
Nguyen Thanh Toan, Director of provincial DoIT said that as of February 21 afternoon, through inspection, 148 petrol stations in Thuan An city, Tan Uyen town, Ben Cat town, Bau Bang district, Phu district were still operating as usual. Among them, only 5 petrol stations run out of gas, but still opened. It is known that some petrol stations ran out of gasoline and oil or limited sales to customers because they have failed in importing oil and petrol products.
For stores with limited sales due to fear of not having enough gasoline to sell, the local functional forces have asked for them to open and sell unlimited quantities of goods to customers. On the other hand, provincial DoIT has worked with key traders and units to implement supply solutions for focal units to provide goods for petrol stations.
Nguyen Phuong Dong, Deputy Director of provincial Market Management Department said that based on the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s official dispatch, provincial Market Management Department has issued a circular on strengthening inspection and handling violations in the petroleum business field. Through the supervision of the local market management teams, most petrol stations have still operated normally and there is no phenomenon of speculation, hoarding, or closing without valid reasons.
Nguyen Thanh Toan, Director of provincial DoIT has advised people to keep calm. This is only a local shortage of gasoline. Provincial DoIT will handle petrol stations that have petrol products, but do not sell them to the people. People should also avoid the situation of buying gasoline to reserve, causing a local shortage of goods as in the past time. This may also make individuals and the community unsafe in fire prevention and fighting.
Reported by Tieu My-Translated by K.T
