Seven firms submit EOIs for proposed refinery in Hambantota

Seven companies have submitted expressions of interest (EOIs) for the proposed new refinery in Hambantota.

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera taking to Twitter yesterday said the technical evaluation committee and other procurement committees will assess the EoI’s submitted by the seven companies.

Upon the completion of the evaluation process, the Ministry will issue the request for proposal to suitable applicants, he added.

As per Minister Wijesekera, these seven companies submitted EOIs for the refinery before the deadline expired on Monday (27).

The companies include; Grant and Shearer Ltd., from Nigeria, China Petrol and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) from China, Petrichor Capital Bhd, from Malaysia, Vitol Group from France, Matin Tejarat Company from Iran, Dandeniya Engineering, Sales and Service Syndicate from Sri Lanka and a joint bid from Harree Management Services with Marka Investments Abu Dhabi from Sri Lanka and UAE were also among the EO’Is submitted.

The move comes after the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved a strategic move to open up the fuel retailing market further with the grant of a 20 year licence to three more global players from China, the US and Australia.

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera took to Twitter on Monday to announce the Cabinet decision. He said approval was granted to award licences to China’s Sinopec, Australia’s United Petroleum, Australia and US-based RM Parks in collaboration with UK’s Shell PLC to enter the fuel retail market in Sri Lanka.