"Investment at the downstream level is very important because we know economic growth in all countries is slowing down including in our country due to declining exports," he said when receiving the head of the Special Working Unit for Oil and Gas Downstream Business (SKK Migas), Rudy Rubiandini, at his office here on Tuesday.
President Yudhoyono said "to offset the drop in exports we need to increase investment in all sectors including in the oil and gas sector and therefore the government hopes SKK Migas could really perform well."
SKK Migas, set up following the Constitutional Court`s decision to replace the former regulatory agency BP Migas, has been given a task of assuring investment management in the oil and gas sector.
During the meeting the President besides receiving a report on the performance of the three month-old agency also asked for the agency`s future working program.
"We know oil production has declined which is natural but there is still good prospect and opportunity in gas production. I agree with the recommendation of the minister of energy that not only oil lifting but also gas lifting that must also be taken into account," he said.
He said energy security is very important due to increasing demand(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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