Fuel prices began to rise at gas stations in Timor-Leste last week, with gasoline increasing by 0.13 cents of a US dollar (0.11 cents of a euro) and diesel by 0.18 cents.
The increase is one of the consequences of the conflict in the Middle East, following Israel and the United States launching a military attack against Iran on the last day of February, to which Tehran responded with missiles and drones against American bases in the region and Israeli targets.
“We are selling gasoline at $1.23 and diesel at $1.40 due to the impact of this war,” the owner of the fuel station stated to Lusa in Dili. Borala Fuel’s Zenivio Guterres da Costa also stated that at the beginning of the month he was selling gasoline for 1.10 dollars and diesel for 1.22 dollars.
The Borala Fuel, Aitula Fuel, Carrier Fuel, Carries Fuel, and Empresa Timor Oan (ETO) fuel stations began increasing fuel prices in East Timor last week.
The businessman also appealed to the Government, in particular to the National Petroleum Authority, to hold an urgent meeting with the two energy suppliers – ETO and Pertamina International – to minimize the risks that may affect the population.
One of the employees from a station in Fatuhada, a neighborhood in Dili, also confirmed to Lusa the increase in fuel prices.
“Before our Aitula Fuel station sold diesel at $1.20 and gasoline at $1.10. But, due to the impact of the war in the Middle East, we started selling diesel at $1.40 and gasoline at $1.30,” he stated.
To Lusa, the representative of Pertamina International Timor, SA (PITSA), Marthen Ratu Sarpeher, assured that the company has guaranteed reserves and that it received a new fuel shipment at the beginning of the month.
“So, our stock remains secure. The next shipment is planned to arrive between March 25th and 27th, and it continues to be as scheduled according to what we had already prepared,” the responsible party stated.
The leader added that Pertamina International Timor, SA (PITSA) continues to coordinate with other countries to avoid a potential fuel shortage in East Timor.
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“We also continue to coordinate with Pertamina in Singapore through PMD, which supplies us, and they ensure there are no issues with the supply. Until April, they said they could continue to supply and that the situation would be secure,” he explained.
If necessary, PITSA may request an emergency supply from Kupang and Atapupu, on the Indonesian side of Timor Island. The company justified the price increase with global market conditions.
In addition to PITSA, the other fuel supplier, the ETO group also guaranteed to have fuel reserves for four months.
