Syria announces preferential diesel price — Asharq Al-Awsat
In Syria, Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said that subsidized diesel will be sold at 115 Syrian pounds per liter. According to Asharq Al-Awsat, this fuel will primarily be intended for heating, agriculture and population groups eligible for state support.
Al-Bashir announced the decision at a press conference with Syrian Petroleum Company CEO Youssef Kablawi. The minister said the authorities had approved practical measures to reduce the burden on citizens while maintaining fuel supplies.
Prices for different needs
According to the minister, several types of diesel with different characteristics and prices depending on their purpose are expected to become available for sale. Diesel suitable for transport, manufacturing and service sectors is planned to be sold at 150 Syrian pounds per liter.
Al-Bashir said he had discussed alternative options with President Ahmed al-Sharaa. He acknowledged that rising energy prices directly affect the population's well-being, as well as the agricultural, manufacturing and service sectors.
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Preparations to launch small refineries
The minister also announced plans to resume operations at several small local oil refineries under the management and supervision of the Syrian Petroleum Company. Their combined capacity could reach 35,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
Kablawi said the company is preparing a plan to implement these measures and is working through technical and operational details. According to him, implementation may begin in the coming days, provided technical and administrative readiness is ensured. Products from the small refineries will be sold only at designated filling stations in the provinces.
Reasons for the price revision
The pricing committee published a temporary list of new petroleum product prices on September 13. Prices rose by 25–40%, which, according to the publication, caused public discontent, particularly in the east and north of the country.
Syria's Ministry of Energy explained the increase by an exceptional rise in global fuel procurement costs, which coincided with a comprehensive modernization of the Baniyas refinery. Work at the facility is expected to last about two months. Al-Bashir also said that Syria spends approximately $140 million each month on purchasing gas for electricity generation and imports 5.3 million cubic meters of gas per day.
