The government decided to raise subsidised fuel prices, effective last Thursday, marking the second time the country has raised energy prices since 2014 when the increase was 79%. The price of 92 -octane gasoline rose 34.6% to EGP3.5/litre, 80-octane gasoline will go up 46.8% to EGP2.35/litre, diesel rose 30.5% to EGP2.35/litre, natural gas for vehicles rose by 45.5% to EGP1.6/cubic meter. It also raised butane cylinders used for cooking almost doubled to EGP15. To offset the impact of higher diesel prices on farmers, the government is increasing the amount it pays for wheat and rice to encourage production, Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said at a press conference early on Friday. Spending on ration cards will rise to EGP49bn from EGP44bn in the current budget, Supply Minister Mohamed Ali El-Sheikh said. (Bloomberg, Reuters)