Azernews.Az

By Gulgiz Dadashova

Azerbaijan's energy giant SOCAR has no plans to reduce prices on Azerbaijani petrol sold in the Georgian market, SOCAR Head Rovnag Abdullayev said when answering Georgian journalists' questions about Georgian Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze's statement on the possible fuel price reduction.

Abdullayev said that the oil product price reduction in terms of oil price increase is illogical.

Moreover, he noted, the company will return to its original price for diesel fuel by late 2013.

"We have reduced prices on this type of fuel at the request of the Georgian authorities, as we took into account the need for agricultural work, but this can not continue on a permanent basis," Abdullayev said.

SOCAR Georgia Petroleum Ltd, which represents SOCAR's interests in Georgia, is the single largest importer of petrol and diesel fuel in the country. It imports up to 35,000 tons of oil products from Azerbaijan each month. The company is expanding rapidly by increasing its network of petrol stations around the country.

SGP's strategic development plan includes construction of petroleum storage depots using modern technologies and develop its network of petrol stations up to 120.