"There have been several discussions in the past 15 days, unfortunately, we do not have any concrete measures or concrete activities that will be undertaken by the Government. The last thing we had today was that the oil companies had a meeting with the Prime Minister during the day in the morning. Unfortunately, we do not yet have information on whether and to what extent the excise duty will be reduced, and it is certainly something that is publicly known, it is information that is publicly needed by both the oil companies and the citizens, so that they can prepare their business in a timely manner in accordance with such changes in excise policy," said Striković.
He states that there are currently problems and difficulties with supply.
"As for the final and total quantities, in the short term we can say that it is stable for now, but in the long term it is very uncertain, because this is a war that has directly affected the very center of production and distribution of oil and oil derivatives and may further deteriorate in the coming period. And for this reason, the current pricing model, which is at the 14-day level, somewhat contributes to protection against sudden price increases," said Striković.
At the same time, he added, it negatively affects the work and operations of oil companies, procurement planning, organization, and thus jeopardizes the entire economic activity.
"For this reason, the best current model is to try or update it as often as possible. One of the proposals shared by all companies was seven days. However, there are models that completely liberalize prices on the market, which is the practice somewhere, and everywhere in the world, to prepare all oil companies for upcoming situations as well and as timely as possible, because, currently, there may be shortages in the long term, and then no model in terms of price organization and pricing will help. Simply put, oil companies that are currently able to procure quantities will be unable to do so at the moment, and if there are shortages, then there is certainly no help," Striković added.
The regular showdown will follow on Monday.
"Currently, according to stock market quotations, which have been increasing significantly in the last two or three days, prices will increase significantly. Eurodiesel is already exceeding 30 cents, and gasoline more than 20 cents per liter. As for the specific situation that is being announced - we can expect it, is that in addition to the increase in these prices in relation to stock market quotations, what should certainly be expected, both by the economy and citizens, is that the government reacts with its measures and, in accordance with legal solutions, determines a reduction in excise duty for the coming period, in a way that, by taking maximum action now, it could enable both the economy and citizens to prepare for new price increases that are inevitably coming and for the new accounting period in about 20 days, because currently, on stock market quotations, the price of Eurodiesel in Montenegro, if there were no reductions, would already exceed two euros per liter," Striković said.
If the conflict between the US and Iran and Israel continues, then, he pointed out, we should act actively and strongly now.
"We should make such decisions using the mechanisms we have and that are available to us, and I appeal in this way, I appeal to the Government, to consider the current situation as soon as possible and as well as possible and to somehow ensure that inflationary pressure does not spread to all other products, because in that case it will have far-reaching consequences for the economy," Striković said.
