Indonesia expects higher gasoline consumption in 2010

Indonesian government officials said it expects the country’s consumption of subsidized low-octane gasoline to rise 3.9% to 134.5 million barrels in 2010. The rise, officials said, will likely be due to a future rebound in economic growth. The level of fuel consumption in the country, which helps determine the scale of subsidies the government has to set aside, is likely to rise due to a rebound in growth in Indonesia, said Evita Legowo, director general of the oil and gas ministry. The government had forecast economic growth to slow to 4 to 4.5% in 2009 from 6.1% in 2008, before rising 5 to 6% again in 2010. (May 26, 2009)