Fuel consumption by industries falls by 5 percent

The consumption of fuels by industries dropped only five percent during the January to May period despite the severe impact of the global financial meltdown in the country?s major industrial sector.

According to the latest data issued by state owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina, the volume of fuels sold to industries between January to May reached a total of 8.6 million kiloliters or 43 percent of the annual target of about 20 million kiloliters.

The company estimates that the total fuel consumption by industries will be about 19 million kilolitres in 2009.

Vice President Haryoto Saleh said in Jakarta on Friday that the drop of fuel consumption by industries was lower than expected as demand from some sectors such as textile and automotives industries, which were predicted to be lower, remained normal despite the crisis.

?The order from textile and automotive industries has helped prevent a sharp drop in fuel consumption in the industrial sector,? he said. (*)