Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA News) - Pertamina expects its lubricant oil exports this year to reach 180 million liters following increasing public and international market confidence in its products.

The company`s Region V Sales Manager Waljiyanto said to newsmen here on Thursday (March 22) that exports of Fastron and Enduro lubricants to 20 countries in Asia, Europe and the United States reached 116 million liters in 2011.

"Now there is a new phenomenon. Foreigners have started using lubricants from Pertamina, such as Australia, which has become our biggest export market," he stated.

In Pakistan, Pertamina`s product "Zipex" has even been declared the best automotive for consumers.

"This proves that Pertamina`s products are accepted abroad. So, with regard to quality, we will compete with foreign trademarks," Waljiyanto said.

To promote its products abroad, the state-owned oil and gas company has sent a land-journey adventure mission "Pertamina Fastron Euro Asia Expedition 2011" from Indonesia to Italy, covering a distance of 27 thousand kilometers.

Waljiyanto noted he was optimistic Pertamina could maintain its domestic market share of up to 60 percent despite competition from local and foreign products.

"We have resolved to expand our market further. This year, our sales target including exports is set at 596 million liters, while total lubricant demand is estimated to rise from 720 million liters in 2011," he remarked.

Sinung Wikantoro, Retail 1 Surabaya Pertamina Lubricant Sales Executive, meanwhile explained that since the end of 2011, he has launched a delivery service for Surabaya to achieve the sales target.

"The free delivery program has received a positive response from the public, and it will later be improved with a mobile service," he said.
(Uu.H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/B003)