ISTANBUL, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye raised natural gas prices by 24.6 percent for households and 7.86 percent for industrial users on Wednesday, amid inflation concerns and expectations of upcoming adjustments to pensions and minimum wages.
The state-owned Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS) announced the new tariffs on its website, stating that wholesale natural gas prices were adjusted in line with budgetary targets.
This price hike will not impact June's inflation figures, as it took effect in July.
The Turkish Statistical Institute is set to release June inflation data on Thursday. According to a survey conducted by the state-run Anadolu Agency, economists expect a slight drop in the annual inflation rate, from 35.41 percent in May to 35.26 percent in June.
Meanwhile, pensioners and minimum wage earners are expecting raises following the upcoming inflation data for June, although the government has yet to confirm any increase.
The government announced a 30-percent increase in the minimum wage effective January 2025, raising it to 22,104 Turkish liras (about 555 U.S. dollars). ■
