Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has ordered tighter border control and necessary measures to prevent a shortage of fuel and lubricants. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
The meeting heard a report from Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov. According to him, Kazakhstan's oil refineries are currently operating normally, fully meeting the needs of the domestic market. Reserves of gasoline, diesel fuel and aviation kerosene in the country exceed 1 million tons, which fully satisfies current consumer demand. Petroleum products are supplied on a priority basis to gas stations, agricultural producers and domestic airlines. There is no shortage of fuel and lubricants. Continuous monitoring of production volumes, shipments and reserves is carried out.
Special attention was paid to measures to prevent illegal export of petroleum products. Currently, an order of the Ministry of Energy is in effect prohibiting the export of certain types of petroleum products by road and light distillates by rail from Kazakhstan. In addition, a restriction has been introduced on vehicles crossing the state border more than once per day.
Reports were also heard from Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadenov, Deputy Chairman of the National Security Committee – Director of the Border Service Erlan Aldazhumanov, and Deputy Chairman of the Financial Monitoring Agency Kairat Bizhanov.
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov noted that ensuring the stability of the domestic petroleum products market is of strategic importance. Following the meeting, a number of instructions were given: to strengthen border control and take all necessary measures to prevent fuel shortages and ensure uninterrupted supply to the country; the Border Service of the National Security Committee, together with the Ministry of Finance and the Financial Monitoring Agency, to strengthen control at the state border, identify and stop all schemes of illegal transportation of petroleum products; the Ministry of Energy to ensure constant monitoring of the balance of production, reserves and consumption of petroleum products and, if necessary, promptly submit proposals for additional measures.
The government is systematically working to stop all schemes of illegal turnover of petroleum products. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, over the past month, the export of about 12 tons of fuel and lubricants was stopped. 54 vehicles with converted gas cylinders were identified, and their owners were held accountable. This work continues and is under strict control.