29 March 2024, Friday, 16:57
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Leanid Zaika: Petrol and fuel oil can be sold to West under guise of bitumen

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Leanid Zaika: Petrol and fuel oil can be sold to West under guise of bitumen

It is possible to sell marine fuel oil or petrol under the guise of bitumen.

It became known today that Moscow threatens Minsk to launch an investigation over a sharp 95-fold increase in the export of bitumen mixes. Economist Leanid Zaika told charter97.org about possible results of the investigation and the Kremlin's reaction.

– An investigation will be carried out anyway, because Belarusian chemists appeared to be too creative with their solvents and bitumen mixes. These are heavy oil fractions. They can have different concentration and be sold as bitumen mixes, fuel oil and pure petrol,” he said.

– Why does Belarus continues its dubious business after the scandal with “solvents”?

– This is the initiative of our business. It happens so that Belarusian businessmen have a passion for chemistry. It seems that two oil refineries are enough to make permitted products, sell petrol and diesel fuel, but they want to invent something new.

The current situation with Russia is so that except for being a gentleman's rule, the compliance with contractual obligations is an argument in comparing approaches and results. The Kremlin will not close its eye to it, especially taking into account falling prices of oil and, therefore, oil products. Russia's oil trade balance is behind that of Switzerland. This country exports more oil than Russia! Russia has to count every dollar. In addition, it was permitted to use the difference between internal and external prices, which is called the export duty. It is an ingenious invention of Russians. Marx followers in the Kremlin probably did a great work. So, they need to deal with the problem that appeared recently.

As for refining, we are likely to receive 23 tonnes of oil next year and have to get satisfied with it. Belarus is addicted to oil. If Russia uses Spice drugs, we kill our economy with cheap oil. Certain businessmen try to earn on it. It is a very complicated scheme that needs the approval of the country's highest officials. If you want to take different petroleum products and call them bitumen mixes, you need to have the approval of both chiefs of marketing departments and top-ranking officials.

– Are the authorities involved in this business?

– Top officials are involved in everything. You can see a master hand everything in Belarus. The “master” even knows how to write books. Oil refining cannot go without him.

– What consequences will Belarus face if the investigation reveals the bitumen scheme?

– There will be quiet talks on the phone. Various excuses are possible – bad financial situation, newly discovered old problems. There's no sense for the authorities to stir up a conflict.

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