Minister Djedovic Handanovic tours gas stations, speaks about situation in Serbia amid global oil price shock

Photo: Nenad Kostic

Minister of Mining and Energy of Serbia Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said today, during a tour of several gas stations located between Belgrade and Smederevska Palanka, that it is business as usual regarding supplies at both large and small gas stations, that there are no queues and that the state will continue to monitor the situation on the market.

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"Today, we toured several gas stations between Belgrade and Smederevska Palanka in order to check the supply of oil derivatives. Even small gas stations in rural areas like Morava Gas which I visited near Smederevska Palanka have no problems, but we also visited other gas stations where there were also no crowds, queues or citizens stocking up, filling canisters, buckets and the like. There is no reason to panic, the state has reacted with measures and protected the market and citizens from price surges. We will continue to monitor the situation on the world market every day," the minister said, adding that the price of fuel for farmers has increased by only two dinars and is at 181 dinars per liter, which is significantly lower than the market price, the Ministry of Mining and Energy said in a statement.

"If we look at today's prices, according to market conditions, diesel would cost 270 dinars, while citizens pay 212 dinars at gas stations thanks to the government's measures. We achieved this by reducing excise duties and releasing 40,000 tons of diesel from the mandatory reserves to supply small and large gas stations, while wholesalers can continue imports and regular supplies. It's very important to us that citizens across the country, in small and large towns, have fuel supplied at more favorable prices compared to the market prices, which unfortunately continue to rise. The price of oil has reached around 100 dollars per barrel and we do not know how the situation will develop," said Djedovic Handanovic.

The minister added that the state will continue to monitor the market and price growth to ensure energy security for citizens.

"Of course, we will take additional measures if necessary to protect the market and the economy. Our goal is to have no shortages, not to limit consumption and to have acceptable prices," Djedovic Handanovic concluded.

(Telegraf Biznis)