Aug 22, 2008 (DVB), Rangoon residents have been able to buy petrol and diesel using foreign exchange certificates to supplement the government's designated fuel allowances, according to local residents.

A gallon of diesel was being sold for 4.2 FEC and petroleum at 3.75 FEC yesterday, a petrol pump attendant in Rangoon's Thingangyun Township told DVB.

"You can't get as much as you want," the attendant said.

"You can only get as much as your car's gas tank can hold. It is not allowed to be sold in containers."

Under government limits, each car owner can buy 60 gallons of fuel a month in kyat, and the sale of fuel in FEC is to supplement this allowance, the attendant said.

"The 60 gallon sale is a separate matter. If you really need it, you have to drive in your car and buy it. You have register your car's number plate," he said.

"They are not taking it out of the 60 gallons, they are selling extra."

Selling diesel and petrol are in FEC has meant that the value of FEC is rising slightly and the dollar is dropping in value, Rangoon residents told DVB.

Currently, one FEC unit fetches 1130 kyat at the rate set by the Burmese regime, which means a gallon of diesel paid for with FECs costs more than 4700 kyat and a gallon of petrol, 4200 kyat.

State petrol pumps are selling both diesel and petrol at 3100 kyat a gallon at the moment.

Reporting by Aye Nai