Morocco Lawmakers Push for Fuel Price Regulation Amid Collusion Concerns

PPS deputies who want better regulation of the setting of fuel prices at the pump cite "suspicions of collusion between operators, allowing them to generate large margins, to the detriment of consumers," says L’Economiste, noting that an ad hoc Commission has been appointed by the Sovereign to rule on the decision-making process of the Competition Council on any collusion between oil operators.

Under this bill, the regulation of tariffs must be entrusted to the Ministry of Finance, which must set the ceiling for retail prices every Monday at midnight and ensure compliance with the system in place.

The rate is calculated on the basis of the average prices on the international market, plus transportation, storage and insurance costs, as well as the margin of storage and distribution operators, according to Article 3 of this text, details the same source. That fuel prices reach the point of threatening the purchasing power of consumers and businesses, the State, under Article 5, has the power to subsidize, on the basis of the conditions and procedures to be set by decree.

For the PPS, this new approach must be accompanied by the strengthening of national energy security. This particularly concerns aspects related to the "strategic stock of petroleum products," it points out.