How to stop the pace of price rises

Prices of basic commodities climbed 12.43 per cent in Abu Dhabi in July within the span of just a month, according to Abu Dhabi's Department of Planning and Economy.

This translates to nearly a 150 per cent increase in a year! The question is: Can this country's growing population live with this type of skyrocketing rise in prices of basic commodities?

The fixed exchange rate of the UAE's currency to the falling US dollar is also adding to this problem. This is happening when the country is getting ready for Ramadan, when prices traditionally go up substantially.

While the government has undertaken certain measures to curb prices and inflation, statistics show that these measures aren't enough. The problems remain. Perhaps it's time to shift to Plan B, which is to make major changes to the country's monetary policy. But is the country ready for it?