The Minister for Industry and Commerce, Jose del Castillo Savinon, said on Wednesday, 19 February that the winter storms in North America and the increase in the cost of a dollar on the local markets are some of the reasons for the increase in the cost of fuel in the country. Del Castillo Savinon said that the price of oil has gone up due to increased demand in the United States because of the recent severe winter storms, reaching US$101 while the dollar on the local exchange market went to RD$43.12. According to El Nuevo Diario, discussions with the representatives of the National Gasoline Retailers Association (Anadegas) are heading towards a solution.