Baghdad approves emergency import of 5 million liters of gasoline

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq’s Oil Products Distribution Company said Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaydi has approved an emergency import of 5 million liters of super and improved gasoline. Company Director Hussein Talib said the first emergency shipment is due to arrive in Iraq at the start of next week. Talib said daily gasoline consumption across the country for different grades stands at 33 million liters, while the company supplies 34 million liters to stations. He said 4 million liters are needed to cover the shortfall. He added that gasoline is sold to citizens at 450 dinars, compared with 1,000 dinars on world markets. Talib also said there is stability in the petroleum derivatives file and that operating capacity at refineries has been increased. Talib said Baghdad’s daily gasoline consumption has reached 10 million liters, and total consumption on the first day of Eid al-Adha rose to 40 million liters.