Nepal seeks fuel grant from Saudi Arabia

Kathmandu December 9- The government of Nepal has approached the government of Saudi Arabia for grant assistance of 20,000 kilolitres of gasoline, citing severe shortage of fuel in the country. The government’s move, however, has been criticised by a former government secretary, who says Nepal should have sought alternative channels to purchase fuel rather than seek petroleum products for free.

It is to be noted that Chinese government has already provided 1,300 kl of petrol to Nepal as grant assistance that Nepal Oil Corporation received from Kyirong, which is 28 km from Nepal’s Rasuwagadhi border.

As per the request of the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today wrote to the government of Saudi Arabia seeking 10,000 kl petrol and a similar quantity of diesel on grant assistance to ease the lives of people who have been affected, as the fuel crisis has prolonged due to the ongoing protest and border blockade in the Tarai region.

According to MoFA Spokesperson Tara Prasad Pokharel, the government has sought support from oil-exporting country, Saudi Arabia, with whom the country has long-standing diplomatic ties. “However, we have to wait for a few days to get the Saudi government’s response,” he said.

Moreover, the government has also sought additional fuel from China on grant assistance. The government has requested Chinese government to provide 5,000 tonnes of cooking gas, 2,600 kl each of petrol, diesel and aviation fuel as grant assistance. The country has sought 50 gas bullets of 14 tonnes capacity from China to ferry cooking gas.

“The government has also asked the Chinese government to help build storage facility in Panchkhal of Kavre, Khaireni of Tanahun and Trishuli of Nuwakot district,” said Shiva Prasad Tripathi, MoCS under-secretary .

Nepal is also seeking exemption of taxes levied by Chinese central and local governments on petroleum export.