In South Korea and Italy, if the price difference between fuel oil and gas could stand at some 50-60 per cent, the public would become interested in using gas. Practically, if the difference in price is similar, it may encourage the public to use gas
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government of Indonesia is committed to implementing a serious fuel oil-to-gas conversion program by learning from the success stories of South Korea and Italy, a minister says.

"The fuel-to-gas conversion is being carried out now. I am interested in studying the success stories of South Korea and Italy in this case," Industry Minister MS Hidayat said here on Friday.

According to him, if the use of gas increased, then the price of fuel oil would become more expensive than that of gas.

In South Korea and Italy, if the price difference between fuel oil and gas could stand at some 50-60 per cent, the public would become interested in using gas. Practically, if the difference in price is similar, it may encourage the public to use gas, he added.

At present, the Industry Ministry is supplying fuel oil-to-gas converter kits and technicians for those who wish to have these kits installed in their vehicles.

This April, the government plans to increase the price of subsidized fuel oil. Coinciding with the price rise, the fuel oil-to-gas conversion program will also be implemented.

Meanwhile, Secretary General of Indonesia`s Gas Businessmen Danny Praditya said that the conversion program from fuel oil to gas, which is still under discussion, would not be successful as long as there is big price difference between premium oil and gas.

"At least the difference between premium oil and gas must be 60 per cent. If not, people will think twice before switching to gas," he said. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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