MOSCOW, May 12 (UPI) -- The Kremlin is considering extending an increased gasoline export duty to June to address widespread shortages at home, an economic minister said.
Moscow imposed stiff export tariffs on energy producers May 1 to keep more oil and gasoline in the domestic market. With Russia capping energy prices, most producers were sending their products to the foreign market to cash in on soaring prices.
Elvira Nabiullina, the economic development minister in Russia, said the Kremlin was considering extending the export duty to June.
"There is a probability of extending it," the minster was quoted by Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti as saying.
Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service is blaming major oil companies for acting like a cartel. Igor Sechin, the deputy prime minister, added the Kremlin might take more unspecified steps to make sure gasoline is flowing in the domestic market.
The Siberian transportation sector was hit hard by the shortages, with as much as 30 percent of the public transportation fleet idled. Harvest season is expected to strain gasoline demand further.
