Tonight there's no butane available countrywide as importers and distributors have shut down in protest. Yesterday they sent a letter to the Prime Minister advising him that their margins have been cut too thin for them to keep doing business sustainably. The letter basically warns the Prime Minister that unless the Minister of Finance makes a drastic corrective measure which accurately reflects the soaring coast of acquisition, they'll have to shut down. And while we have seen the letter, remarkably, the Prime Minister told us today that he has not. Jules Vasquez stole a door-peep interview as the PM was on tour in Cayo Central.
Jules Vasquez,
They've written you a letter.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa, Prime Minister
"No I haven't seen that letter."
Jules Vasquez,
But I've seen the letter from Tomza, all of them. So you haven't seen the letter?
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"I had a visit on Monday from Mr. Roque Reyes and we explained to him that the prices fluctuate. Yes we know the prices have been going up but that other sources have been bringing it in at a much cheaper price, I believe from Salvador, Central America, as compared to the one from Mexico. His argument as I understand it is that the quality is better than the one from Mexico. So we explained that yes we will review the matter but more than likely, and the Financial Secretary was with me, that this would have to take place the next with the next shipment when we see what the landing price will be."
Jules Vasquez,
Well they're saying the old shipment finishes end of business today and the new shipment, which is a price increase of US$6 per barrel, will go into supplies tomorrow and they say if you don't approve an increase to $129 from $111, they won't open for business.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"Well we'll obviously have to review the price that the new shipment is costing and then we'll make a decision."
And that's where it stands this evening. Reportedly economists in the Ministry of Finance asked the butane businesses to just wait until tomorrow. But with the old stock finished and the new, more expensive stock ready to go, and still no adjusted price, they have opted to go ahead with the strike. So no butane companies or suppliers are open tonight, none will be open for business tomorrow and it will continue like that until they reach a compromise with government.
