The Ministry of Economy, in partnership with other entities, has started to hammer out an effective mechanism to counter the practice of selling substandard diesel and other petroleum derivatives smuggled into the UAE from neighbouring countries.

The practice by certain elements of smuggling the "mixture" of petroleum derivatives through seaports and land routes and refining them illegally using primitive methods has been a cause of concern to the authorities since some time.

The Ministry held today an extended meeting with other government authorities and petrolium destribution companies in the country to discuss the issue and brainstorm on a mechanism to counter the practice.

The initiative supervised by the Minister of Economy Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri and followed up by Assistant Undersecretary Humaid Ali Bin Batti Al Muhairi aims to contain the phenomenon, which poses health risks and environmental hazards in the country.

The meeting held at the MoE headquarters under the chairmanship of the Trade Control Director Juma Mubarak Fairoz discussed all aspects related to the issue and emphasised the need to adopt concerted efforts to eradicate the illegal practice.