Asharq Al-awsat English https://aawsat.com/english Middle-east and International News and Opinion from Asharq Al-awsat Newspaper http://feedly.com/icon.svg

King of Bahrain: No Fee Hike Until Reaching Consensus on Subsidy Restructuring

King of Bahrain: No Fee Hike Until Reaching Consensus on Subsidy Restructuring

Monday, 22 January, 2018 - 08:30
King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa. BNA

King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa of Bahrain issued Sunday directives stating that there will be no fee hike until the joint executive-legislative committee completes studying the subsidy file.


The King stressed that Bahrain is moving forward to adopt development initiatives and employ all potentials to meet the aspirations of citizens and achieve further national achievements.


HM highlighted the importance of reaching consensus between the executive and the legislative authorities to achieve more development and progress for the country and its people in terms of development and prosperity.


He gave priority to restructuring the subsidy to ensure that government subsidies benefit the citizens who are affected by fee increase, affirming that there will be no fee hike until the joint executive-legislative committee completes its work and until the National Audit Office makes sure that the process is in line with the laws and criteria adopted and implemented by the Kingdom.


This came during the King’s reception of Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at al-Sakhir Palace on Sunday.


King Hamad also received Saudi Ambassador to Bahrain Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulmalik Al Sheikh, who handed over to HM a written letter from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud inviting HM to attend the closing ceremony of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, which is set to be held in Riyadh next month.


For his part, First Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives Ali al-Aradi said: “We are talking about fees.”


"The committee has a set of files that are related to the subsidy and redirecting it to those who deserve it,” Chairman of the legislative committee, which is considering reorienting government subsidy with the government’s executive committee.


“The King has issued earlier directives to form a committee composed of the legislative and executive authorities to restructure the subsidy and give it to those who need it.”


“The file related to redirecting subsidy is very important and is being discussed between the executive and legislative authorities at the highest levels, and there will be no increase in fees before reaching consensus between the two sides,” Aradi stressed.


Editor Picks

Multimedia