food subsidies

the latter two suggest how much scope it has to absorb and defray them through fuel, electricity and food subsidies.

So far, the money's been spent on unemployment, benefits, education, health and food subsidies.

Dollops of state largesse, including tax breaks, bigger food subsidies and amnesties for convicts, have so far blunted their impact.

Promising a bit more aid is easier than dismantling food subsidies that favour Western farmers but devastate African ones.

Where food subsidies are unavoidable, they should be temporary and targeted on the poor.

India already spends $12 billion a year on food subsidies alone.

It adds that leaders need to agree on assistance to the poor, including food subsidies and cash transfers.

In the wake of the riots, the Algerian government attempted to ease the situation with the promise of food subsidies and tax relief.

Food subsidies are necessary for keeping down the price of dairy products and bread.

The authorities in many Arab countries offer food subsidies to ensure that families can afford basic staples.

Many governments have introduced food subsidies or export restrictions to counter rising costs.

Giving out cash proved to be hugely more efficient than the old food subsidies.

The measures include food subsidies for poorer families and efforts to ease shortages of staple goods on the market.

Getting the message, most countries in the region kept their food subsidies in one form or another.

The government said last week that it would increase food subsidies.

But food subsidies now take up a huge portion of Egypt's annual budget, one that is growing as global food prices rise.

The direct costs are soaring (see chart 1): food subsidies now account for 2% of GDP; fuel consumes 8%.

They are buying time by, for example, boosting food subsidies or hiking wages.