The Syrian regime’s government has increased the prices of some fuel materials in areas under its control, in a quasi-regular decision every 15 days, in line with the “global price” of these materials.

According to the decision issued by the Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection today, Monday, April 15, the sale price for Octane 95 gasoline has been set at 14,290 Syrian pounds per liter, up from 13,985 pounds.

The decision also set the sale price for Octane 90 gasoline at 11,500 pounds per liter, up from 11,000 pounds.

Additionally, the ministry raised the sale price of unsubsidized diesel to 13,540 pounds per liter from 12,100 pounds, the price of a ton of fuel oil to 8,690,595 pounds, and the sale price of a ton of liquefied gas, dokma to 11,361,545 pounds.

The government distributes fuel allocations to residents in areas under its control on a rationed basis, forcing them to resort to the black market in order to meet their needs, where prices vary according to demand, the availability of subsidized materials, or the lack thereof. Prices tend to double during recurring fuel crises, while they decrease again when the materials are regularly available.

The prices of most consumer goods are affected by the increase in fuel prices, amidst a decline in the purchasing power of the population and a deteriorating economic situation. Many families rely on remittances from Syrian relatives living abroad to secure the minimum necessities of living.

Price increase in the interest of Qaterji

On October 3, 2023, the director of the Pricing Directorate at the Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection, Ismail al-Masri, said that the ministry would issue a periodic price bulletin for petroleum derivatives for industrial sectors and other sectors, based on the reality of prices.

In recent months, there have been multiple decisions by the Ministry of Internal Trade in the Syrian regime’s government to raise fuel prices, which benefits the Golden Gate company commissioned jointly with the state-owned Syrian Petroleum Storage and Distribution Company (Sadcob) to sell oil derivatives to industrial facilities.

According to company data published through the official gazette followed by Enab Baladi, Ahmed Bashir Mohammed Baraa Qaterji manages the company, and Mohamed Agha Mohammad Agha Ahmed Rushdi Qaterji holds the position of Deputy General Manager.

The Qaterji family is considered among the new war-rich, closely associated with the Syrian regime, which has allowed the family’s influence to expand and enhance its presence at the level of the country’s economy.