41.   Khalil said the tax increases would take effect immediately, although parliament has yet to approve the budget.

42.   The increase took economists by surprise.

43.   The increase took effect Wednesday.

44.   The increase takes effect in June.

45.   The last increase took place three years ago.

46.   They are planning to apply this summer for another rate increase to take effect next year.

47.   They said the company had first agreed to raise their salaries last October and then again in June, but only the first increase had taken place.

48.   Those increases could take place as early as September or October.

49.   Investors were seen likely to remain on the sidelines until next week, trying to determine whether or not a rate increase will take place.

50.   But any new increase will take place against a different background than the six so far.