The National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) by January 13 has received six applications, asking allowing increasing the prices of fuels. The first increases are expected towards the end of this week, the Agency’s director general Victor Parlicov said, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. One of the six applications was lodged by a large company that is able to influence the market. “If the larger companies do not make requests, the smaller ones do not usually raise prices,” Victor Parlicov said. There are five important oil importers working in Moldova. Victor Parlicov did not say who asked being allowed to raise the prices. The importers argue that the price of oil on the world markets has increased and the Moldovan lei has depreciated. The head of the ANRE’s Audit Division Anatolie Saracuta said the price of gasoline may rise by 0.5 lei a liter (3.7%), while of diesel fuel by 0.9 lei (6.7%). Between December 1 and 12, the price of fuels on the home market had increased by US$80 a tonne. The prices of oil products are set in conditions of competition. The ANRE takes care that the profitability does not exceed the allowed rate of 10%.