The Bolivian government has developed a new policy to control and combat fuel smuggling in order to strengthen the country’s energy security, reports Prensa Latina on April 14.
The government’s strategy was officially unveiled the day before at a press conference at the government headquarters. With the help of the new policy, the government aims to achieve annual savings of one billion dollars.
The Minister of Hydrocarbons and Energy, Franklin Molina, confirmed that the new policy includes a series of measures to control and optimize various areas, from production and import to the sale of fuel to the final consumer.
“This first package of measures aims to save some $250 million, which is allocated annually to various illegal activities (…) such as smuggling, fuel leaks that leave our country and bleed the Bolivian economy”– he said.
The minister clarified that these actions do not in any way affect citizens or any legal activity, on the contrary, they will guarantee the supply of fuel, its quality and reasonable price.
In the energy sector, he explained, the policy is implemented through two operational units of the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy: control over the sale of fuels at the borders and in the internal market by the National Hydrocarbons Agency.
To remedy the leakage of fuel to the black market and its sale for drug trafficking, illegal mining, and other illicit activities, President Luis Arce decided to establish strict control mechanisms throughout the country.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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