### SL Approves Emergency Coal & Flexible Energy Procurement 📈

The Cabinet of Ministers has greenlit urgent measures to stabilize the national energy grid and bypass standard procurement delays amid global supply chain volatility. • Emergency Coal Procurement Taranjot Resources Ltd. (India) awarded the contract for 300,000 tons (±10%) of coal for the Lakvijaya (Norochcholai) Power Plant. The procurement consists of 5 shipments aimed at bolstering base-load electricity generation. This is an addition to the existing 25 shipments contracted to Trident Chemphar, of which the 12th shipment was recently unloaded. • Procurement Flexibility Cabinet authorized a 3-month departure from standard procurement guidelines for petroleum, LP gas, and coal. The move, coordinated with the National Procurement Commission, addresses shipment cancellations and insurance refusals caused by Middle East conflicts. • Economic Impact & Energy Security The power & energy sector remains under pressure due to total import dependence. The flexible framework aims to insulate the manufacturing and services sectors from energy shocks and ensure uninterrupted supply during economic recovery. Unloading of emergency stocks is scheduled to follow the April 25 completion of current shipments, with turnaround times estimated at 3–5 days per vessel. _Data based on official Cabinet briefing, March 18, 2026._ ---