site.btaCompetition Protection Commission Recommends Urgent Measures to Ensure Fuel Market's Competitiveness and Stability

The Commission on Protection of Competition (CPC) recommended that the executive authorities take immediate coordinated actions to ensure a competitive environment and the stability of the fuel market in Bulgaria amid the complicated situation in the Middle East, the regulator’s press centre reported on Wednesday.

The CPC’s recommendations are addressed to the Council of Ministers and the Ministries of Energy, Finance, and Economy and Industry, as well as to the parliamentary Committee on Economic Policy and Innovation and the political parties represented in parliament. They were prepared on the basis of a sectoral analysis and continuous monitoring of the fuel market, the statement said.

The full implementation of the mechanisms under the Act on Administrative Regulation of Economic Activities Associated with Oil and Petroleum Products, the activation of the Consultative Council for Industrial Stability under the Minister of Economy and Industry, and the establishment of an expert group for operational coordination are among the recommendations. Ensuring access for other importers and traders to tax warehouses and infrastructure, securing alternative supplies, and preventing speculative practices are also proposed.

The CPC has requested information on fuel price data from the National Revenue Agency for the purpose of ongoing monitoring. If violations are identified, the commission will initiate proceedings on its own initiative and apply its statutory powers.

Earlier on Wednesday, caretaker Energy Minister Traicho Traikov informed caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov that Bulgaria had imported quantities of liquefied natural gas (LNG) at prices agreed before the escalation of the crisis in the Middle East.

Gurov stated before the start of Wednesday’s regular government meeting that there are sufficient fuel stocks in the State Reserve, and petrol station owners have also confirmed that they have supplies and that the market remains stable.