Syria to double imports of gasoil

Damascus: Syria plans to double imports of gasoil to 2.5 million metric tons next year as stocks are declining, Syrian Oil Minister Sufian Al Alao said.

Syria's gasoil consumption fell from 7 million tons in 2007 to 5.5 million tons this year after the government slashed subsidies on the fuel, he said in an interview on Sunday in Cairo.

Consumption will increase next year to between 6 million tons and 6.5 million tons, as stocks held by people who had bought the fuel when it was cheaper decline, he said.