Ministry denies reports on gasoline exports ban, mulls reduction

MOSCOW, May 24 (PRIME) -- Energy Minister Nikolai Shulgunov has denied on Wednesday media reports saying that Russia is considering a prohibition on gasoline exports, the ministry is only discussing a reduction in gasoline exports.

"(This is) not true. We have indeed recently registered an increase in prices for fuel on the market, but the growth subsided over the last week. We do not say 'a prohibition,’ we speak about a limit," Shulginov said.

Reuters reported on Tuesday citing sources in the Russian government and the industry that a prohibition of gasoline exports was considered in order to prevent a deficit on the Russian market and higher prices after a decision to cut stimulating payments to refineries.

Shulginov also said that the ministry in fact provides recommendations to the producers to raise the volume of supply to the national market and to reduce the one for exports.

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