The Ministry of Energy is to propose to the National Energy Policy Committee at its meeting in August to scrap the quota system for the import of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and to allow free import of the product without going through bidding system.
An informed source in the Energy Ministry said that the free market policy for LPG would enable operators to export LPG or to import LPG for export to neighbouring countries in order to keep a balance between domestic supply and demand.
Price control at refineries will be lifted to reflect global prices so it will serve an incentive for refineries to increase LPG production or for importers to import more LPG for domestic use and for export to neighbouring countries.
The National Energy Policy Committee will also mull lifting of ex-factory LPG prices to promote competition and to reflect market prices.
In case there is a domestic shortage of LPG, the Energy Business Department is authorized to order LPG traders to import the gas into the country as an emergency case with the traders entitling to refund from the Oil Fund for the price discrepancy.
Mrs Chintana Kingkaew, deputy managing director of Siam Gas and Petrochemicals welcomed the proposed LPG free trade, saying that the company is ready to import LPG for local consumption and for export to neighbouring countries.
