Al Arabiya
Morocco’s Islamist-led government hikes fuel prices
Protesters hold up a placard depicting Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane and banners during a demonstration for social reform in Casablanca. (Reuters)
By SOUHAIL KARAM
REUTERS / MARRAKESH / MOROCCO
Cash-strapped Morocco will raise prices of refined oil products from Saturday as the government seeks to reduce the growing burden of subsidies while facing persistent demands for more welfare spending.
The ministry in charge of general affairs and public governance said industrial fuel prices would be raised by 988 dirhams ($110) to 4,666 dirhams per ton, a rise of 27 percent, according to a statement carried by official media.
The price of unleaded fuel will increase by 2 dirham per liter, or nearly 20 percent, and those of gasoil will be increased by one dirham, or about 16 percent, it added.
The announcement marked the sharpest single increase in fuel prices in several years.
The ministry said the move had been motivated by “the high cost of the subsidy and its likely impact on macroeconomic balances.”
It said it would “mobilize necessary financing for public investments that will boost growth in the national economy, pending a radical reform of the subsidy system to make it more advantageous to social groups in need.”
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