Bektenov orders tighter border controls to prevent illegal fuel exports
Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with the leadership of relevant ministries and law enforcement agencies to discuss the current situation in the petroleum products market, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the Government of Kazakhstan.
Particular attention was given to measures aimed at preventing the illegal export of petroleum products. Currently, an order issued by the Ministry of Energy prohibits the export of certain petroleum products and light distillates by road transport outside Kazakhstan, as well as by rail transport. In addition, a restriction has been introduced limiting vehicles to crossing the state border no more than once per day.
Olzhas Bektenov heard reports from Minister of Internal Affairs Yerzhan Sadenov, Deputy Chairman of the National Security Committee and Director of the Border Service Yerlan Aldazhumanov, and Deputy Chairman of the Financial Monitoring Agency Kairat Bizhanov.
The Prime Minister emphasized that maintaining the stability of the domestic petroleum products market is of strategic importance.
Following the meeting, Bektenov ordered to strengthen border controls and take all necessary measures to prevent fuel shortages and ensure the country's fuel needs are fully met; the National Security Committee’s Border Service, together with the Ministry of Finance and the Financial Monitoring Agency, to tighten controls at the state border and ensure the detection and suppression of all schemes involving the illegal transportation of petroleum products; and the Ministry of Energy to continuously monitor the balance of petroleum product production, inventories, and consumption, and, if necessary, promptly submit proposals for additional measures.
The Government stated that it is carrying out systematic work to eliminate all schemes involving the illegal transportation of petroleum products. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, around 12 tons of fuel and lubricants were prevented from being exported illegally in the past month alone. Authorities also identified 54 vehicles equipped with modified fuel tanks, and their owners were held accountable.
Earlier, Qazinform reported Bektenov issued a number of instructions, including the launch of new railway lines in Kazakhstan by November of this year.