During the first semester of this year, the DR disbursed RD$32.44 billion (US$1.081 billion) as a result of the increase in demand and the higher prices of crude oil. El Caribe reports that this amount represents 15.7% of the current general budget. Central Bank statistics indicate that the purchase of fuel during the first semester of this year increased by US$348.5 million when compared to the same term last year, when it was US$732.9 million. During the period from January to June 2005, the international price of petroleum reached levels exceeding US$58 per barrel. These higher prices have caused an approximate increase of 47.6% in the DR’s petroleum bill. The volume imported increased by 12.3%. Crude oil closed at US$66.27 per barrel on the New York market yesterday, a 59c drop compared to Friday’s record price of US$67.10.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
During the first semester of this year, the DR disbursed RD$32.44 billion (US$1.081 billion) as a result of the increase in demand and the higher prices of crude oil. El Caribe reports that this amount represents 15.7% of the current general budget. Central Bank statistics indicate that the purchase of fuel during the first semester … <\/p>\n