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Egypt raises large range of fuel rates, main gazette states

Egypt raised prices on a. large range of fuel products on Friday, the official gazette. stated, pressing ahead with a pledge it made to the International. Monetary Fund (IMF) more than a year ago as part of a $3 billion. financial support agreement.

In a letter of intent checked in November 2022, Egypt stated it. would enable most sustain item prices to increase to bring domestic. costs more in line with those in worldwide energy markets.

It also assured to make up for a slowdown in such boosts. over the previous year. But it subsequently hiked costs only. once, in March 2023.

The IMF arrangement fell into abeyance in 2015 after Egypt. did not follow through on rate rises and other commitments,. including allowing its currency to move according to market. forces, rapidly selling state properties and minimizing the. federal government's function in the economy.

The IMF this month expanded the financial backing contract. to $8 billion to help Egypt conquer shocks to its economy. triggered by war in Gaza and after the federal government restored its. commitment to the reform steps, consisting of a sharp devaluation. of the currency.

The IMF board has not yet fulfilled to authorize the brand-new. arrangement.

The official gazette, mentioning the petroleum ministry, said a. quarterly pricing committee raised gas costs on Friday by. 1.00 Egyptian pound ($ 0.02) per litre, with 80 octane increasing to. 11.00 pounds, 92 octane to 12.50 pounds and 95 octane to 13.50. pounds.

The IMF has argued that subsidised petrol prices mainly assist. the abundant at the cost of the bad, most of whom do not own. lorries.

The rates committee raised the rate of diesel to 10.00. pounds from 8.25 pounds and the price of butane cooking gas to. 100 pounds per cylinder from 75 pounds, according to the. gazette, a newspaper committed to federal government decisions and. statements.

The committee also set the cost of fuel oil at 7,500 pounds. per tonne but left rates the same at 1,500 pounds per tonne. for food industries and at 2,500 pounds per tonne for power. plants.

Inflation reached record levels in 2023, with prices. increasing by 33.7%.

(source: Reuters)