At the proposal of the Federal Ministry of Trade, at today’s session of the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a decision was adopted to extend the application of the direct price control measure by determining the maximum amount of margins for oil derivatives for an additional 90 days, with the aim of continuing to protect consumers and preventing additional price pressures through the growth of trade margins.
According to the current Decision, the maximum margin for companies that carry out wholesale trade in non-added oil derivatives is limited to 0.06 KM per liter, while in retail sales the maximum allowed margin is 0.25 KM per liter, the Federal Ministry of Trade announced.
The Federal Minister of Trade, Amir Hasičević, pointed out that the extension of the measure is necessary in order to maintain the existing protection mechanism for end consumers in the period of significant changes in the market of oil derivatives.
“Fuel prices are affected by numerous factors that the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot directly influence, above all the movement of purchase prices on the international market. What we can influence is the part of the price that is formed through trade margins. That is why we propose that the existing restriction remain in force for another 90 days,” Hasičević said.
The measure of immediate price control of oil derivatives was introduced in June of this year, and it established the maximum amount of margins in wholesale and retail. By extending its validity, the continuity of the protective mechanism would be ensured for the next 90 days.
The restriction applies to non-added petroleum products. The prescribed restriction does not apply to the sale of additive derivatives, except in the case when only additive oil derivatives are sold at a certain gas station, when the restriction applies to them as well.
“During periods of market instability, it is especially important to have a mechanism by which we can protect consumers from additional price shocks. Limiting margins cannot stop changes in world oil prices and fuel purchase prices, but it can ensure that the burden of these changes is not further increased. This measure has so far proven to be very effective, which has contributed to fuel being cheaper in the Federation of BiH than in neighboring countries and in this energy crisis,” Hasičević pointed out.
Supervision over the implementation of the Decision is carried out by federal and county market inspections, each within the scope of their competences, BHRT writes.
