BAGHDAD, July 18 (UPI) -- Iraqi Oil Minister Ibrahim Bahr el-Ouloum said the government will allow the private sector to import oil derivatives in an effort to ease a severe fuel crisis.
Bahr el-Oulou, was quoted Monday as saying in the official al-Sabah newspaper the government plans to "permit private companies to import fuel and to open new gas stations in various parts of the country."
It is the first time in Iraq's history the private sector would be allowed to deal with the oil sector, which was totally controlled by the government in all aspects because it was classified as a strategic substance.
Iraq has been suffering from severe shortages of various oil derivatives, including gasoline and diesel, largely due to smuggling to neighboring countries.
