Decision No. 17/2005/QD-BTC On the Guiding Prices for Gasoline and Oil Sales in 2005

DECISION OF THE MINISTER OF FINANCE

On Guideline Prices for Gasoline and Diesel Sales in 2005

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 MINISTER OF FINANCE:

Pursuant to the Government Decree No. 77/2003/NĐ-CP dated July 1, 2003 stipulating the functions, tasks, authorities, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Finance;

Pursuant to Decree No. 170/2003/ND-CP dated December 25, 2003 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Price Ordinance;

Pursuant to Decision No. 187/2003/QD-TTg dated September 15, 2003 of the Prime Minister on the issuance of regulations for managing gasoline and diesel sales;

Pursuant to the directive of the Prime Minister in Circular No. 53/TB-VPCP dated March 24, 2005, issued by the Government Office, regarding the management of gasoline and diesel prices in 2005;

After reaching consensus with the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Planning and Investment,

DECISION:

Article 1 - Guideline Prices (including value-added tax) for the sale of gasoline and diesel of certain standard types at actual temperatures are uniformly stipulated throughout the country as follows:

The actual selling price of gasoline and diesel shall be determined by enterprises engaged in the importation of gasoline and diesel (or their authorized subsidiaries or retail agents within their distribution system) in accordance with the current guidelines of the Ministry of Trade.

The prices of other types of gasoline and diesel shall be set by enterprises based on the actual selling prices of standard types of gasoline and diesel on the same market and the quality differences compared to the aforementioned types.

Article 2 - Place of Sale:

- Wholesale: goods are delivered to the central warehouse of the province or city on the buyer's means of transport;

- Retail: goods are sold at gas stations and retail stores in provinces and cities on the buyer's means of transport.

Article 3 - Responsibilities of Ministries, Sectors, Localities, and Production and Business Units:

- In accordance with the directive of the Prime Minister, although the selling prices of gasoline and diesel have been adjusted upwards, the main products such as electricity, coal, cement, etc., must not increase their selling prices. Enterprises must reduce costs, particularly fuel costs, lower production costs, and continue to decrease business management expenses by 5% compared to 2004.

- The Ministry of Trade is responsible for directing enterprises engaged in the sale of gasoline and diesel to conduct inventory checks according to current regulations when adjusting prices, ensuring that no negative practices occur and that sales activities proceed smoothly.

- Enterprises engaged in the importation of gasoline and diesel must jointly bear legal responsibility for the pricing violations committed by their affiliated units and retail agents within their distribution system.

- In cases where there are significant fluctuations in international market prices for gasoline and diesel, Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation and other enterprises assigned by the State to import and sell gasoline and diesel must take measures to balance supply and demand and ensure adequate supply of gasoline and diesel as required by their assigned tasks.

- Provincial Departments of Finance shall cooperate with Provincial Departments of Trade to monitor the implementation of gasoline and diesel selling prices in their respective localities, promptly identify any violations, and handle them within their jurisdiction in accordance with current regulations, or report to competent authorities for further action.

Article 4 This Decision takes effect from 12:00 noon on March 29, 2005, and replaces Decisions No. 56/2004/QĐ-BTC dated June 18, 2004, issued by the Minister of Finance, and No. 1589/2004/QĐ-BTM dated November 1, 2004, issued by the Minister of Trade.