Myanmar to import 500 tonnes of petrol from Thailand

MYAWADY - Aung Nan Thar Company has been given official permission to import up to 500 tonnes of petrol across the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge after ferry services were suspended in January this year.

Border authorities have cracked down on petrol smuggling across the Thaungyin or Moei River, but this has not stopped traffickers resorting to using pipelines to smuggle fuel across the river border.

"The official importing of petrol will not be successful in the long-term if only one person is doing it. Everyone needs to do this in unison. If illegal imports continue, companies doing official imports won't be able to compete. That's why the local authorities need to help regulate against traffickers in order for the business to be successful," said an official from Aung Nan Thar Company.

Two 11-tonne petrol tankers crossed the bridge on Tuesday and another four crossed on Wednesday. They will continue to supply the remote border town of Myawady util they have reached their 500 tonne quota.

Aung Nan Thar Company signed a contract with a Banchak Petroleum oil refinery to import diesel, petrol, octane, and gas oil to supply Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay and other major towns.

The company received permits from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Energy to import the petrol to feed Myanmar’s growing demand.

source: Eleven Myanmar

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