13 Jan 2012 22:35

Ukraine looking for alternative sources to buy gas at lower prices - Yanukovych

KYIV. Jan 13 (Interfax) - Ukraine is looking for alternative sources to buy natural gas at lower prices, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has said.

"We are looking for alternative sources to buy gas now - certainly, at lower prices, because when our manufacturers include these high prices in the cost of their products, our products become uncompetitive on global markets; that is, we are killing our domestic manufacturers," Yanukovych said at a meeting with heads of district administrations in Kyiv on Friday.

Ukraine increased its own gas production in 2011 and is determined to continue doing so, he said.

Ukraine also increased its coal production to 82 million tonnes in 2011, he said.