Ministry of Industry and Trade requests localities to strengthen control over fuel trading

Amid increasingly complex international developments, particularly escalating tensions in the Middle East that are strongly affecting the global energy market, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued an urgent directive requesting provinces and cities to strengthen inspections and control over petroleum and LPG trading activities. The aim is to promptly detect and strictly handle violations, ensuring stability in the domestic market.

Specifically, on March 6, the ministry issued Urgent Document No. 1415 to the People’s Committees of provinces and cities, calling for enhanced monitoring of petroleum trading activities. According to the ministry, escalating conflicts are affecting both supply and prices. Proactive supervision is therefore necessary to prevent legal violations and protect the interests of businesses and consumers.

The ministry requested provincial People’s Committees to instruct their Departments of Industry and Trade to closely monitor market developments, particularly supply–demand conditions. Market surveillance forces are required to implement professional monitoring measures, closely supervise local areas, and promptly detect unusual signs such as shortages, hoarding, or unreasonable price increases.

Alongside inspection activities, local authorities are also required to strengthen communication and guidance to ensure that traders strictly comply with legal regulations. Notably, the ministry stressed that the responsibility of heads of agencies must be clarified if violations are not handled promptly.

At the commune level, authorities are expected to actively monitor the operations of retail fuel stations and detect cases where outlets suspend sales without proper authorization or reduce supply without legitimate reasons. Other enforcement forces are also required to coordinate closely to prevent commercial fraud.

Hai Phong News