Tuesday at a press conference, Joseph Guyler Delva C. the Minister of Communication has provided explanations on the rise by the end of June, of prices of petroleum products on the national market announced by Jude Alix Patrick Salomon, the Minister of the Economy https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24319-haiti-economy-announcement-of-unpopular-measures-in-the-coming-days.html to reduce the Government deficit caused by the fuel subsidy and to comply with the commitments made in the "Staff-monitored program" agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) signed last February https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24021-haiti-economy-towards-further-increases-in-fuel-prices.html

Minister Delva recalled that the price adjustment of petroleum products on the market is inevitable for the Government because of the evolution of the price of oil on the international market (increase of more than 30% and the automatic adjustment mechanism prices at the pump https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20974-haiti-flash-fuel-a-lack-of-precision-in-the-agreement-with-serious-consequences.html which has not been applied in Haiti since May 2017). He says "the state can no longer continue to subsidize oil" adding that "the state has already recorded a loss of 7 billion gourdes since the beginning of the current fiscal year. By the end of the fiscal year, this loss is estimated at about 13 billion gourdes if the Government does not take appropriate measures "underlining that after Trinidad (oil producer) Haiti is the country where the fuel is sold at best price.

For Delva, "the State must obviously maintain control over the price of petroleum products on the market and invest revenues in infrastructure and social programs for the most vulnerable", calling on foresight and patriotism to transport unions. He also urged the population to keep calm and serenity stressing "The population must especially avoid being manipulated by people who defend their interests and must flee the logic of social unrest that undermine the national economy," while emphasizing the sensitivity of the Head of State for social programs in favor of the underprivileged classes.

Senator Joseph Lambert, President of the Senate and close to the Head of State, aware of the risks of popular demonstrations, urges the Government and leaders of transport unions to engage in dialogue to reach an agreement on the increase of fuel prices.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24319-haiti-economy-announcement-of-unpopular-measures-in-the-coming-days.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24021-haiti-economy-towards-further-increases-in-fuel-prices.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20974-haiti-flash-fuel-a-lack-of-precision-in-the-agreement-with-serious-consequences.html

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre