Jordan increases prices of certain fuels

Jordan's government announced Tuesday a plan to increase the prices of certain fuel derivatives by 2 to 3 percent, the state-run Petra news agency reported. The prices of gasoline octane-90 and gasoline octane-95 will rise by about 3 percent, while the price of kerosene will rise by around 2 percent. 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 Jan. 1 and will last for 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, whose 96 percent of energy needs depended on imports, was affected by repeated cuts in natural gas supplies from Egypt and has to import more expensive heavy fuels for power generation.