ABU DHABI // FNC members yesterday called for the price of petrol to be slashed, to bring it into line with prices in the rest of the GCC.
While drivers in Saudi Arabia pay as little as Dh0.68 for a litre of 95-octane fuel, forecourts in the UAE charge more than double that - Dh1.72 a litre. No other GCC country charges more than Dh1.14.
Members decided at yesterday's FNC session to form a temporary committee to consider the potential consequences of reducing petrol prices, despite protests from the Minister of Energy, Mohamed Al Hamili.
"UAE prices are tied to the global market," the minister said. "Neighbouring countries' prices are different because they subsidise petrol."
Ahmed Al Zaabi (Sharjah) argued that the UAE's oil production, which is greater than some other GCC members, should allow it to sell petrol for less.
"Look at the GCC, in Qatar a litre is Dh1, and in Saudi Arabia around that, and the same in Oman - and it doesn't produce much, less than here," he said.
The minister insisted the UAE was bound by international agreements to tie its prices to the global markets.
He said the Government was already supporting prices, at cost to petrol retailers, who had been losing money since 2003. The four main retailers lost Dh8.5billion in 2011 alone, and this year could lose Dh12bn, he said.
"These petrol companies have been victims of this for a long time. So there is indirect support for people."
Mr Al Zaabi said low-income families were struggling to afford more expensive fuel. "There will be a lot of problems if prices in country stays as they are," he said.
He called for an increase in local production, and for more refineries to be built.
The minister said importing petrol was sometimes cheaper than producing it locally, but Mr Al Zaabi replied: "As a UAE citizen, I should buy from my own country, like other GCC citizens do in their countries. Why are the global prices my problem?"
He suggested the council put a recommendation to the Cabinet that prices should be brought in line with the rest of the GCC.
The Speaker, Mohamed Al Murr (Dubai) said members should bear in mind that Emiratis were a minority in the UAE before making a recommendation that would benefit both Emiratis and expatriates.
Ahmed Al Amash (RAK) suggested bigger subsidies should be given only to UAE nationals - an idea immediately rejected by Salim Al Ameri (Abu Dhabi).
"The recommendation should be for all because in the UAE some expatriates work in the Government, and at the federal level they work for us," he said.
Mr Al Zaabi said cheaper petrol would have wider benefits, reducing the cost of transport and other services. "It is a continuous circle," he said. "We are not looking at a person, local or not, or company - but overall."
Mohamed Al Qubaisi (Abu Dhabi), who sympathised with the minister, suggested a temporary committee could be formed to consider the effect of cheaper petrol, as it was a "sensitive issue".
That proposal secured a majority of the FNC. Six members were elected to the new committee: Mr Al Zaabi, Hamad Al Rahoumi (Dubai), Dr Mona Al Bahar (Dubai), Sultan Al Sammhi (Fujariah), Marwan bin Ghalita (Dubai) and Mr Al Qubaisi (Abu Dhabi).
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Brief scores:
Toss: Northern Warriors, elected to field first
Bengal Tigers 130-1 (10 ov)
Roy 60 not out, Rutherford 47 not out
Northern Warriors 94-7 (10 ov)
Simmons 44; Yamin 4-4
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Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
Community Shield info
Where, when and at what time Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday at 5pm (UAE time)
Arsenal line up (3-4-2-1) Petr Cech; Rob Holding, Per Mertesacker, Nacho Monreal; Hector Bellerin, Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; Alex Iwobi, Danny Welbeck; Alexandre Lacazette
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Chelsea line up (3-4-2-1) Thibaut Courtois; Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Gary Cahill; Victor Moses, Cesc Fabregas, N'Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso; Willian, Pedro; Michy Batshuayi
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte
Referee Bobby Madley
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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