Listin Diario reports that the government increased the taxes on fuel recently by indexing inflation over the August-October period. In a press conference, the National Association of Gasoline Retailers (Anadegas) demanded that if the government is going to increase wages to the public sector to compensate them for inflation, it should also compensate gas station owners by increasing their profit margin on the price of fuel. Petroleum product sales have declined this year. From January to September, regular gasoline sales dropped 2.9%, premium gasoline was down 14.3%. Diesel sales were down 23.3%. Propane gas dropped 25.9%, reflecting the considerable increase in price. Diesel sales were up 2.1%, and premium diesel sales were up 22.6% (probably reflecting the increased blackouts and the increase in diesel powered vehicles). Taxes on fuel sales in the DR make up more than half of the selling price.
