Cairo: Libya, Jordan and Morocco have taken measures to control food prices in the wake of violent protests in Tunisia and Algeria fuelled by anger over unemployment and poverty.
Libya has abolished taxes and custom duties on locally produced and imported foods such as wheat-based products, rice, vegetable oil, sugar and infant milk.
The government in Jordan cut taxes on fuel and some foods, and Morocco introduced a compensation system for importers of soft milling wheat aimed at keeping supplies stable as global prices rise.
Riots
Tunisia, one of the most tightly controlled countries in the Arab world, has suffered a month of rioting by youths angry at high unemployment. Neighbouring Algeria also erupted in riots for three days after prices of basic commodities such as oil and sugar rose steeply.
The Algerian authorities hastened to reverse the increases to prevent further shows of public anger.
The Jordanian government allocated more funds to state-run food providers that will reduce the cost of staples such as sugar, rice and poultry.
— Financial Times
