Taken from the 7 Days today:
Nationals to get food discounts
Last Updated : Wednesday 12 Mar, 2008 -
The UAE is considering a plan to provide its citizens with discounts on 14 food items, gasoline and cooking fuel to help offset inflation, the head of a consumer protection body said yesterday.
The UAE cabinet is studying the plan, which will allow UAE nationals to buy rice, bread, tea, sugar, milk and other basic food items at low cost, said Jamal Al Saeedi, executive manager of the Emirates Society for Consumer Protection. “There is too much inflation and it is hitting households,” Saeedi said yesterday. “People cannot live without these items so we are looking for a way to reduce the costs.”
The plan would benefit only UAE nationals, who comprise about a fifth of the 4.5 million population. They will be provided with cards to be used at 16 co-operative supermarkets to be eligible for the discounts.
SM