Fuel prices in cash-strapped Zimbabwe have more than doubled on the back of recent increases in international oil prices, government announced on Wednesday.

Petrol price has gone up to 22,300 Zimbabwean dollars (about 96 US cents) per liter from 10,000 Zimbabwean dollars (about 43 US cents) while diesel price is now 20,800 Zimbabwean dollars (about 87 US cents) per liter from 9,600 Zimbabwean dollars (about 42 US cents).

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Petroleum Marketers of Zimbabwe secretary general, Roderick Kusano, said the price adjustments would ensure the viability of the fuel industry.

"We want to thank the government together with the stakeholders for adjusting the prices as international oil prices have been firming while our exchange rate has also changed," he said.

Zimbabwe is facing biting fuel shortages as a result of shortage of foreign currency due to declining exports and competing national requirements such as importation of grain and power.

The government recently established a taskforce to stem the abuse of fuel, a practice that was being conducted mostly by commuter omnibus operators.

Source: Xinhua