Jordan raises prices of certain fuels

Jordanian authorities announced plans on Sunday to raise the prices of certain types of fuel derivatives by 1 to 3 percent, the state-run Petra news agency reported. The prices of gasoline octane-90, gasoline octane-95, kerosene and diesel will respectively rise by around 3 percent, 2.1 1 percent and 1 percent, while the price of gas cylinder will remain unchanged, the report said, citing the ministry of trade and industry. The ministry said the price hikes will go into effect on July 1 and last one month. Late last year, the Jordanian government ended subsidies on fuel derivatives, triggering nationwide protests that led to the injuring and arrest of hundreds of people. Jordan, which depends on imports for about 96 percent of its energy needs, was affected by repeated cuts in natural gas supplies from Egypt and has to import more expensive heavy fuel for power generation.