India's HPCL to begin fuel sales in Pacific - CEO

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JAIPUR, India, Feb 3 (Reuters) - India's state-run Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL.BO) aims to begin fuel retailing in Fiji and some other Pacific islands by end-March, marking its entry in the overseas retail business, its chief executive told Reuters on Tuesday.

Arun Balakrishnan said HPCL has entered into an agreement for fuel retailing business with Fiji Holdings Ltd, which has operations in Fiji, Tonga, American Samoa, Vanuatu, Tuvalu and the Cook Islands.

"They (Fiji Holdings) don't have expertise in marketing fuels. So they have reached an understanding with us to manage their retail fuel business," he said.

He said their retail business included about 65 petrol pumps, 11 oil terminals and depots and about half a dozen aviation storage facilities in Fiji and the Pacific region.

Balakrishnan, also the company's chairman, did not specify the volumes to be sold in these countries.

"The volumes are very small. But it will give us an experience in selling fuel in overseas markets."

HPCL will source products from the Singapore market. (Reporting by Nidhi Verma; Editing by Mark Williams)