Four Firms Seek Permit To Import Petroleum

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Four private firms have shown interest in acquiring government permits to import and distribute petroleum products. These firms have applied for the permit, which has until now only been issued to Nepal Oil Corporation, said Laxman Shrestha, director at the Department of Commerce and Supplies Management.

Malika Petrolem Pvt Ltd, Birat Petroleum Company Pvt Ltd, Star Energy & Innovation Pvt Ltd and Chandi Lumbini Gas have applied for the permit, based on a decision taken by the government in 2009.

 "Although the government decided to allow private firms to import and distribute fuel in 2009, the decision is yet to be implemented due to the lack of government guidelines,” informed Shrestha. He added that the applications will be considered only after the Cabinet approves a directive to implement the 2009 decision. The Cabinet's Economic and Infrastructure Committee is holding discussions over the directive. 

"As the directive has been already been sent to the Cabinet, we are making necessary arrangements to import and distribute fuel,” a representative of Star energy said. 

As per the rules laid down by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the government should get rid of state monopoly in all sectors within 2015/16. An officer at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies said, "In view of the WTO rules, we are working on the directive."

 

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