SANA'A, Nov. 15 (Saba)- Government supported oil derivatives with $ 3.5 billion last year, Minister of Finance said on Sunday.

In a meeting for the technical committee of ministerial office for priorities, the minister Noman al- Sohibi said that such support made a big burden on the general state budget, adding that the government also supported the sector of electricity with $ 1.1 billion in 2008.

He affirmed importance of decrease the support of the government for oil derivatives in order to insure continuing funds of the state.

The meeting also discussed means of generating the electricity by using gas instead of diesel .

AH