Ukraine decides against import duties on oil products

Ukraine will not impose import duties on oil products. This decision was made following the investigation into imports of some types of oil products regardless of the country of origin carried out by the Interagency Commission for International Trade of Ukraine. Thus, a special investigation into Belarusian oil products was stopped, BelTA learnt from Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of Belarus Andrei Savinykh.

“We are glad about this decision. It will benefit Ukrainian consumers of these oil products. Overall, we are convinced that this decision is in the best interests of both Ukraine and Belarus,” Andrei Savinykh noted.

Spokesperson for Belneftekhim Concern Marina Kostyuchenko provided the following comment: “The concern welcomes this decision by Ukraine. The members of the commission looked into the situation competently and confirmed that Belarusian oil products are sold on the Ukrainian market in compliance with competition rules”.

According to her, Belarus-made oil products meet the needs of Ukrainian car owners due to their quality. Oil refining companies of Belarus produce only Euro-4 and Euro-5 diesel fuel. Starting from 2012, Mozyr Oil Refinery is going to produce diesel fuel only in compliance with Euro-5 requirements. “Belarusian oil refineries are doing business in a transparent way and produce high quality products,” Marina Kostyuchenko concluded.

Ukraine launched the special investigation into imports of some types of oil products regardless of the country of origin in late January 2011. In September a hearing was held, the date of the further hearing was postponed to 21 December.

Belarus is among the key importers of oil products to Ukraine. Belarus-made light oil products account for 20% of the Ukrainian market. In 2010 the export of light oil products to Ukraine rose 3.5 times compared with the previous year to make 1.9 million tonnes (25% of Belarus’ sales in the segment). In January-September 2011 the supplies of oil products to the Ukrainian market made about 2.3 million tonnes (27%).