Jordan Raises Fuel Prices by over Four Percent

Jordan's government increased prices of oil derivatives by 4 percent to 13.5 percent on Tuesday, in a move to phase out subsidies as soaring oil prices drive up its budget.

The government said unleaded gasoline rose from 0.740 Jordanian dinars (about 1.03 U.S. dollars) to 0.805 dinars (about 1.30 dollars) per liter. Heating fuel and kerosene for household use went up about 12 percent to 0.705 dinars (about 99 cents) per liter, while the price of cooking gas remains unchanged.

This is the ninth time Jordan raises its fuel prices in two years.

Jordan lifted fuel subsidies in February, raising the prices by 3 to 110.9 percent. A special committee was assigned to define the prices on a monthly basis.