Delayed fuel trade monitoring system no sooner than 2021

Full implementation of a fuel trade monitoring system designed to clamp down on smuggling in the sector does not appear likely any sooner than 2021 despite being ratified by the previous government last April and first presented a decade ago.

The former Syriza government’s related legislation indicates the plan’s full implementation is estimated for the end of 2021.

Judging by the long delay, the eradication of fuel smuggling does not appear to be a top priority for the Greek State, even though it is being deprived of annual tax revenues estimated at 300 million euros.

The monitoring system, designed to track fuel inflow and outflow trading data, is not yet fully operational. Various corrections and a pending ministerial decision that concerns issues such as the method and regularity of data dispatches to the General Secretariat for Information Systems (GSIS), a division of the economy and finance ministry, are still needed.

SEEPE, the Hellenic Petroleum Marketing Companies Association, has intervened and expressed a willingness to assist the Greek State. The association has proposed making a financial contribution for the system’s swifter implementation and training of inspectors.