The Confederation of Trade Unions (CTU) has demanded that gasoline prices be reduced to their pre-January 6 levels by February 8.

The Government wants to exempt petroleum from the VAT, but the Finance Ministry has blocked the move. At a special meeting of the Government on Tuesday, however, members authorized Mineral Resources and Energy Minister D.Zorigt to lift the VAT.

The Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy says it is reviewing gasoline prices along the border, and the VAT may be lifted after that review is completed.

If the VAT is lifted, experts say the price of gasoline could be reduced.