The Government Inspectorate has officially announced the commencement of a large-scale thematic inspection targeting the petroleum trading sector. This step covers the operational period of businesses from January 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026, with an audit duration of 30 days starting from July 8.
This audit targets all business entities operating in the petroleum trading sector. The main focus is to evaluate compliance with applicable regulations, as well as to identify potential violations that could disrupt market transparency. In addition, the inspection team has the authority to review data outside this period if deemed urgent for the investigation.
This move is a strategic effort to map the effectiveness of state management in administering the energy sector. The inspectorate aims to plug loopholes in management mechanisms and provide recommendations for regulatory improvements. The final results of this investigation will serve as the basis for strict actions against violations, ranging from administrative sanctions to the revocation of business licenses.
Data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade shows that there are currently 33 petroleum trading companies, 250 distributors, and more than 17,000 retail fuel stations across the country. This inspection complements a previous series of supervisions that targeted nearly 200 distribution businesses across 27 provinces regarding the fulfillment of petroleum reserve obligations.
