The latest preliminary figures show the shortfall rose to 259.9 million dinars ($366 million) from 167.2 million dinars in the same period of 2010.

The authorities hope to keep the deficit to 5.5 pct of gross domestic product this year despite higher social spending and a soaring oil bill after the disruption of Egyptian gas imports that support 80 percent of the country’s electricity generation.

This forced the kingdom to switch to much more expensive imported diesel to cover its electricity needs.

Last year the aid-dependent country slashed the budget deficit to 5.3 percent of GDP from 9 percent in 2009 when the global downturn hurt domestic demand and foreign cash flows, including foreign aid and remittances from expatriates in the Gulf.

The latest figures include a rise in foreign aid to 315 million dinars in grants from major donors — Saudi Arabia, the US, the European Union and Japan — from 157 million dinars in the same period last year.

Foreign aid has long cushioned Jordan’s economy from disruptions and helped finance almost half of its budget deficit. A sharp decrease in aid contributed to the budget deficit spiraling to record levels in 2009, officials say.

Officials however are pinning hopes on a Saudi aid package that could exceed $1 billion this year to help ease the country’s budget deficit. The kingdom has already received at least $400 million this year from Saudi Arabia.