ANRE explains why fuel is more expensive

The latest hikes in the fuel prices have been exclusively caused by the rise of the import prices of these products on world markets, say specialists from the National Energy Regulating Agency (ANRE), Info-Prim Neo reports. The Agency has reached the conclusion after considering the calculations presented by local gas operators, says an ANRE official, Gheorghe Lupan. Thus, from May 1 to 20, the average import price of diesel fuel rose with $126 per tonne (+11.1%) and reached $1,170 – 1,260 per tonne, while the gasoline rose with $94 per tonne (+9.5%) reaching $1,062 – 1,115 per tonne. Since Moldova imports these fuels, the hike has led to raising the retail prices on the domestic market, Lupan specifies. He says the petrol importers, being conscious the diesel fuel is a strategic product for the country's agriculture, will go on offering lower prices to farmers, as one leu less per liter. The gasoline rose by 10% on Friday at the Moldovan gas stations. According to the law, the wholesale and retail prices of oil fuels are established by license holders in accordance with a special Methodology, approved of by ANRE, in coordination with the Government in October 2007.