Gov’t raises fuel prices

AMMAN — The government on Sunday decided to raise the prices of gasoline, kerosene and diesel between 1.13 to 2.08 per cent, while maintaining the price of gas cylinders unchanged for May.

The government’s decision, which went into effect on May 1st was taken in accordance with the recommendations of the Fuel Pricing Committee, which convened on Sunday, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Under the decision, kerosene and diesel will be sold at JD0.490 per litre, up from JD0.480, marking a 2.08 per cent increase.

The cost of one litre of unleaded 90-octane gasoline will go up by 1.5 per cent, to be sold at JD0.675, up from JD0.665, while a litre of unleaded 95-octane gasoline will sell for JD0.89, up from JD0.88, recording an increase of 1.13 per cent.

The hike includes a 30 fils increase to support the Treasury under “economic correction measures” recently taken by the government, Petra reported, adding that no such increase was added to the prices of kerosene and diesel.

A government committee meets monthly to adjust fuel prices to correspond with changes in oil prices on the international market.

The committee noted that the price of gas cylinders will remain unchanged at JD7, despite a real-term increase to JD8.25.

Prices of oil derivatives on the local market are calculated based on international prices, with the addition of other costs such as shipment, handling and taxes.The committee said that it referred to international oil prices, which showed that the cost of a barrel of crude Brent oil remained at $52.53 in April compared to $52.6 in March, Petra reported.

All derivatives are subject to a JD0.006 stamp fee, in addition to other fixed fees related to transport, storage and insurance costs.