Pertamina estimates significant rise in aviation fuel sale in Timor Leste

State oil and gas firm Pertamina said on Tuesday it was optimistic to see significant increase in aviation fuel sale in the newly independent Timor Leste in the coming years.

?Among all kinds of fuel, our sale of aviation fuel is projected to rise by more than 10 percent annually in line with the direct trade to be developed between Timor Leste and other countries,? Pertamina said in a press statement.

Timor Leste became an independent state separate from Indonesia on May 20. It had been called East Timor Province.

Pertamina said on Tuesday East Timor?s demand for aviation fuel reached 11,911 kilo liters annually in 2001, which was 18 percent of its total demand for all kinds of fuel.

The company currently has fuel distributing facilities in Timor Leste, and its operation in the area is now handled by a marketing manager who is assisted by five workers from Pertamina and 14 local staff members, Pertamina said.

Pertamina, together with Indonesia?s state electricity company PLN, started operation in East Timor some 25 years ago. (Leo)