Saudi Arabia hikes gasoline prices

Diesel rates for trucks were left unchanged. Photo: Saudi Gazette/File DUBAI: Saudi Arabia raised local gasoline prices on Monday, state news agency SPA reported. The initiative, aimed at more efficient energy use, coincides with an ambitious reform plan to boost sources of revenue and wean the world?s top crude exporter away from oil. It said Octane 91 will sell for 1.37 Riyals a litre, up from 0.75 Riyals, while Octane 95 will sell for 2.04 riyals a litre, up from 0.90 Riyals. Diesel rates for trucks were left unchanged. According to a report in the Saudi Gazette, the prices include Value Added Tax (VAT). The regulatory authorities are monitoring the markets to ensure that prices are not manipulated and supplies are not interrupted, the report stated further. The Kingdom will slow plans to eliminate subsidies for a wide range of energy products, according to a new long-term fiscal plan in the 2018 state budget released last month. King Salman formally announced on December 20 that the target date for eliminating the government?s budget deficit would be pushed back to 2023 from the original target of 2020, in order to reduce pressure on economic growth. The Kingdom announced its broad reform initiative in 2016, saying it aimed to ?enhance the level and quality of services? provided by government and ?achieve a prosperous future and sustainable development.?