Fuel consumption expected to grow 6%

Despite the global economic slowdown, India’s fuel consumption is expected to grow by 6% in 2009, the Indian government said. Crude oil imports are also slated to rise. “The economy continues to grow at over 7% and so we expect demand for petroleum products to grow 6% this year and around the same levels even next year,” Petroleum Secretary R.S. Pandey said. (January 19, 2009)