However, despite predicting earning of only around Rp 4.51 trillion this year, the company is hopeful that 2004 will show net profit of around Rp 7.67 trillion with sales reaching Rp 196.07 trillion.

This largesse, according to Pertamina president director Ariffi Nawawi, will come from "oil sales at home and exports." Nawawi is confident that Pertamina, "expects to produce 62.1 million kilolitres of fuel next year and 64.3 million kilolitres by 2005."

Nawawi revealed that the fall in profits this year was due to a decline in "domestic sales and exports." According to Nawawi, "Pertamina's total revenue is expected to all to Rp 186.78 trillion this year from Rp 202.69 trillion last year. Domestic sales for 2003 are forecast to fall to Rp 80.57 trillion from Rp 88.81 trillion last year, while exports are expected to fall to Rp 68.57 trillion from Rp 69.01 trillion."

Part of the losses, he feels, was due to a government plan to reduce fuel subsidies to "Rp26.36 trillion this year from Rp31.59 trillion last year." Furthermore, "before the government takes its 60% share of Pertamina's revenue, the company's annual profit is forecast to fall to Rp 10.16 trillion from Rp 14.11 trillion," said Nawawi.