Subsidy Reform in the Middle East and North Africa: Recent Progress and Challenges Ahead

Author/Editor:

Carlo A Sdralevich ; Randa Sab ; Younes Zouhar ; Giorgia Albertin

Publication Date:

July 9, 2014

Electronic Access:

Link to Abstract

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Summary:

In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries price subsidies are common, especially on food and fuels. However, these are neither well targeted nor cost effective as a social protection tool, often benefiting mainly the better off instead of the poor and vulnerable. This paper explores the challenges of replacing generalized price subsidies with more equitable social safety net instruments, including the short-term inflationary effects, and describes the features of successful subsidy reforms.

Series:

Departmental Paper No. 2014/008

Subject:

Notes:

Short summary is also available in Arabic, in French, and Russian.

English

Publication Date:

July 9, 2014

ISBN/ISSN:

9781498350433/2616-5333

Stock No:

SRMENAEA

Pages:

130

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