The Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise announced the resumption of importing benzene from Sudan as of August 12, 2013 after four months suspension.

According to a letter written to all the nine oil retailers operating in Ethiopia, the enterprise announced that all dealers should mobilize their trucks to import fuel from Nile Petroleum Depot located in Al Shagara, near Khartoum.

The Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise has also announced that it is planning to cover up to 75 percent of Ethiopia’s total consumption of benzene from Sudan, Capital reported.

Ethiopia used to import up to 85 percent of its annual benzene consumption from Sudan, largely due to its geographic proximity. According to reports Ethiopia saves at least US$10 million a year in transport-related costs by importing oil from Sudan.

Ethiopia spends over 50 percent of its total export earnings to meet the Nation’s fuel demand.

Source: Capital