Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting on the situation in the fuel and lubricants market, the government's press service reported. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The head of the Cabinet heard a report on the implementation of instructions to control the situation on the domestic fuel market and prevent illegal outflow of petroleum products from Kazakhstan.
Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov reported that the situation on the fuel market remains stable. According to him, Kazakh oil refineries are operating as planned, and total reserves of gasoline, diesel fuel, and aviation fuel meet the needs of the domestic market.
The government noted that the Ministry of Energy keeps the production and supply of fuels under control.
Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadenov reported that since the beginning of the year, 593 attempts to export petroleum products with a total volume of over 40,000 liters have been thwarted at automobile checkpoints.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as part of the Roadmap to prevent illegal export of petroleum products, control in border areas has been strengthened. The staff has also been increased for prompt in-depth inspections.
Vice Minister of Finance Yerzhan Birzhanov reported on the work of mobile groups. According to him, patrolling is carried out around the clock, and within the risk management system, tank trucks and fuel trucks are checked on border highways.
In the last two days, 61 attempts to export fuels in additional tanks and canisters with a volume of more than 3 tons were thwarted at checkpoints. In addition, 18 specialized vehicles intended for fuel transportation were inspected.
For one of these vehicles with petroleum products of 34 tons, samples were taken for examination.
Currently, state revenue authorities are analyzing the activities of 62 gas stations and 22 mini-refineries where an abnormal increase in service volumes has been recorded. Relevant inspections are planned for these entities.
Reports were also made by Deputy Chairman of the National Security Committee – Director of the Border Service Yerlan Aldazhumanov, First Deputy Chairman of the Agency for Protection and Development of Competition Rustam Akhmetov, and Deputy Chairman of the Financial Monitoring Agency Kairat Bizhanov.
Following the meeting, Bektenov emphasized that ensuring the stability of the domestic petroleum products market is a priority task of the government. State bodies were instructed to keep the situation under daily control.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that the Ministry of Energy prepared a draft order to extend the ban on the export of gasoline, diesel fuel, and certain petroleum products from Kazakhstan for another six months. The ministry explained such measures by the need to ensure national security and the needs of the domestic petroleum products market.