PM demands solutions to prolonged fuel shortages

Chinh ordered for the ongoing oil and gas shortage to end starting Saturday, as stated in a document issued Friday.

The industry and trade ministry also needs to monitor to make sure businesses store ample supplies of oil and gas, and propose changes to simplify procedures regarding oil and gas sale, he said.

The PM also gave orders to other units to fix the fuel crisis.

He asked the Ministry of Finance to check and outline costs regarding oil and gas sales every month, and consider adjustments if needed.

The State Bank was ordered to support gasoline businesses, giving them easy credit access.

Petrovietnam must instruct the Nghi Son oil refinery and the Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical company to adopt logical oil and gas distribution plans, prioritizing the demands of businesses importing oil and gas.

Chinh's request came as residents in many places, starting with HCMC and southern provinces, have had trouble buying gas and oil for weeks.

Over the past week in Hanoi, people also had to wait in long lines, even at midnight, just to purchase oil and gas.

Following a Friday meeting with deputy prime ministers Le Minh Khai, Le Van Thanh and other relevant ministries, industry and trade minister Nguyen Hong Dien said over the first 10 months of this year, business in Vietnam have imported 5.7 tons of oil and gas. Combined with 12.9 million tons of oil and gas from domestic refineries, the total amount of oil and gas available is 18.6 million tons, which can satisfy 90% of oil and gas demand for the entire year.

It means that there is no shortage of oil and gas, but there has been disruption in certain market sectors, Dien said.