Belarus’ FinMin, Russia’s Energy Ministry to look into Zapad-Transnefteprodukt issue

<p> MINSK, Feb 23 - PrimePress. The Belarusian Finance Ministry and the Russian Energy Ministry have been instructed to resolve the situation with Zapad Transnefteprodukt (Mozyr, Gomel Oblast) light oil products transporter (part of the Russian Transneft PJSC trunk pipeline operator), which may suspend operations in Belarus because of the increased tax burden, a source with knowledge of the matter told PrimePress. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “A high-level group of the Union State Government recommended to engage Belneftekhim State Petrochemical Concern in the assessment of the situation,” said the source. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The parties are to report on the findings at the next meeting of the high level group of the Council of Ministers of the Belarus-Russia Union State of scheduled for late March 2021. </p> <p>   </p> <p> As previously reported, presidential decree No.9 of January 10, 2020 imposed an environmental tax on the transit of crude oil and oil products through Belarus since January 1, 2020 at the rate of Br0.35 ($0.13 at the official rate of National Bank of Belarus) per tonne per 100 km. Also, the decree raises the income tax from 18% to 50% for transporters of oil and oil products through trunk pipelines in Belarus. The decree applies to transit entities registered and operating in Belarus, Zapad-Transnefteprodukt among them. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Zapad-Transnefteprodukt is part of the Russian Transneft PJSC. Russian Transnefteprodukt JSC is the owner of the property. Zapad-Transnefteprodukt transits Russian light oil products through the southern string of the Druzhba pipeline. End </p> <p>   </p>

2021-02-24

Primepress