Vietnam waives tariffs on jetfuel imports -govt

HANOI, June 21 (Reuters) - Vietnam will waive tariffs on jet fuel imports in July from 5 percent now to help its airlines cope with high world oil prices, the government said.

"The tariff waiver is aimed at assisting domestic carriers to cut expenses," the Finance Ministry said in a directive seen on Saturday.

This is the second time the Finance Ministry has adjusted the tariffs on jetfuel imports within a month, from a duty of 10 percent previously.

Flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has said it would have to pay about 2.2 trillion dong ($138 million) more than originally planned in the March-June period due to high world oil prices.

Demand for oil by China, India and the Middle East has been cited as a factor behind crude's almost sevenfold surge from $20 six years ago to a recent record high of nearly $140 a barrel.

Oil prices rose nearly $3 on Friday amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran and supply disruptions in Nigeria triggered by militant attacks on a major offshore field.

U.S. July crude CLc1 rose $2.69 to settle at $134.62 a barrel, off highs of $136.80. London Brent LCOc1 was up $2.86 at $134.86. ($1=16,452 dong) (Reporting by Nguyen Nhat Lam; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)