El Siglo newspaper reports that fuel consumption increased 24% during the first semester of the year, compared to 1999. According to the Dominican Petroleum Refinery, only the consumption of premium unleaded gasoline declined, reflecting a price increase in October 1999, and the start of sale of cheaper-priced regular unleaded gasoline. The Dominican Petroleum Refinery reports that the nation should pay US$1,300 million for fuel imports this year, up from US$800 million in 1999. This is a consequence of the increase of the price of fuel on world markets.
