STO receives new shipment of cooking gas

State Trading Organization (STO) has confirmed it received a new shipment of cooking gas on Tuesday, and will begin releasing it to the market soon.

Stock shortages due to global supply shocks had prompted STO’s subsidiary, Maldive Gas to implement controls on its supply twice this year.

In a statement on Wednesday, a spokesperson from STO said the company received a new shipment of cooking gas on Tuesday.

“STO is working to ensure all essential services the public needs continue undisrupted. We also want to note that we are treating this as a top priority and are keeping close watch,” added the spokesperson.

The confirmation of the receipt of a new shipment comes a day before private supplier Villa Gas is set to nearly double the price of its cooking gas.

Earlier this week, Villa Gas announced that starting Thursday, it will be raising the price of its 10-kilogram gas cylinders from MVR 200 to MVR 350.

Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed had faced questions regarding a possible rise in prices or even a gas shortage during a press briefing on Tuesday.

Saeed said that the government is engaged in discussions with both STO and Villa, and provided assurance that the government will not allow for the price of cooking gas to rise.