KRL plans to step up exports

Kochi Refineries Limited (KRL), a subsidiary of Bharat Petroleum Corporation, will explore more possibilities in the export front, said S Behuria, chairman of KRL.

Addressing the 42nd annual general meeting of the company, he said that Kochin Refineries had already exported 0.5 million tonnes of petroleum products worth $ 94 million during the financial year 2003-04 and was eager to step up exports to tide over any domestic product offtake limitations.

According to Behuria, "KRL will set up its own marketing arm. As part of this, the company will set up 300 retail outlets in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka initially."

He said KRL had requested the ministry for authorisation to market MS and HSD. The first phase of the development and modernisation of the refinery will be completed by the end of this year.