Finance Ministry defies the experts, dashes hopes of petrol excise tax cut

Because of the deteriorating situation in the oil market, the National Economics Chamber (KIG) and the National Liquid Fuels Chamber (PIPP) appealed to the Finance Minister to lower the excise for fuel and car oil. According to Aurelia Kuran-Puszkarska, PIPP president, due to the fact that Russia increased the excise for oil export by 100%, the price of fuel might soon increase in Poland by up to zł.0.20 per liter. Not only does the MF not want to lower the excise, but also the Tax Office has lately suggested that prices should be higher by 1.5%, which is the projected inflation growth. The MF believes that the prices of oil on the world market "show a lowering tendency." Meanwhile, according to the Iran Oil Ministry, by December this year oil prices may reach the stunning level of USD 70 for a barrel. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 7) A.F.