PARSA: The import of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) through the Birgunj border point witnessed a significant decline in the last fiscal year compared to the previous one.
According to Raghulal Karna, information officer at Birgunj Customs Office, imports of cooking gas decreased by 4%, and jet fuel imports plummeted by 71%.
During the fiscal year 2079-80 BS (2022-23), 290,287 metric tons of cooking gas worth Rs 33.13 billion were imported, compared to 267,048 metric tons valued at Rs 30 billion the previous fiscal year.
This marks a decrease of 11,238 metric tons.
Jet fuel imports also saw a drastic reduction.
In the fiscal year 2078-79 BS (2021-22), 597,144 kiloliters (KL) of jet fuel worth Rs 17.31 billion were imported, whereas last fiscal year, only 173,484 KL were imported.
Despite the lower volume, the value increased to Rs 18.21 billion due to higher ATF prices.
Conversely, diesel and petrol imports rose. Diesel imports increased by 4%, amounting to Rs 113.58 billion for 1,040,506 KL in 2022-23, up from Rs 109.29 billion for 1,083,520 KL the previous year.
Petrol imports grew by 2%, totaling Rs 38.24 billion for 389,711 KL, compared to Rs 39.02 billion for 394,723 KL the prior year.
It is noted that 70% of Nepal’s fuel requirements are met through supplies via Birgunj.
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