Decision No. 41/2006/QD-BTC on Guideline Prices for Gasoline and Diesel Sales in 2006

Pursuant to …;

On Guideline Prices for Selling Gasoline and Diesel in 2006

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THE MINISTER OF FINANCE

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

Pursuant to Decree No. 170/2003/NĐ-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 on managing gasoline and diesel sales;

Implementing the guidance of the Prime Minister as stated in Official Letter No. 117/TB dated August 9, 2006 of the Government Office regarding the adjustment of gasoline and diesel prices;

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 selling gasoline and diesel of certain standard types at actual temperatures are uniformly stipulated throughout the country as follows:

Enterprises selling gasoline and diesel must comply with the above-stipulated prices and the guidelines of the Ministry of Trade regarding gasoline and diesel prices for remote import ports.

Prices for other types of gasoline and diesel shall be determined by enterprises based on the actual market prices of standard oil types and quality differences compared to the aforementioned types.

Article 2. Sales Locations:

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

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

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

- In accordance with the guidance of the Prime Minister, enterprises must reduce costs, especially fuel costs, lower production costs. For the time being, current electricity and coal prices should be maintained to contribute to achieving the inflation control and economic growth targets for 2006. Business units dealing with gasoline and diesel must continue to reduce business management costs by 5% compared to 2005.

The Ministry of Trade is responsible for directing enterprises engaged in gasoline and diesel trade to conduct inventory checks according to current regulations when adjusting prices; ensuring sufficient supply, preventing stockpiling and speculation.

Enterprises engaged in importing gasoline and diesel must jointly bear legal responsibility for violations of gasoline and diesel selling prices by their subordinate units and retail outlets within their distribution system.

In cases where there are significant fluctuations in international market prices for gasoline and diesel, Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group and other enterprises assigned by the State to import and sell gasoline and diesel have the responsibility to balance supply and demand and must meet the required needs for gasoline and diesel as per their assigned tasks.

Provincial Departments of Finance shall cooperate with Provincial Departments of Trade and Market Management Agencies to monitor the implementation of gasoline and diesel selling prices in their localities, promptly identify and address any violations within their authority according to current regulations, or report to competent authorities for handling.

Article 4. This Decision takes effect from 16:00 on August 9, 2006 and replaces Decision No. 0747/2006/QD-BTM dated April 27, 2006 of the Minister of Trade.