Cover Departmental Papers
Subsidy Reform in the Middle East and North Africa: Recent Progress and Challenges Ahead
Author:
Mr. Carlo A Sdralevich
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,
Miss Randa Sab
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,
Mr. Younes Zouhar
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, and
Ms. Giorgia Albertin
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Series:
Departmental Papers
Volume/Issue:
Volume 2014: Issue 008
Language:
English
Publication Date:
09 Jul 2014
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5089/9781498350433.087
ISBN:
9781498350433
ISSN:
2616-5333
Pages:
130
Keywords:
DPPP; DP; subsidy reform; exchange rate; fuel price; price increase; price subsidy; energy subsidy; food subsidy; fuel subsidy; Energy subsidies; Fuel prices; Inflation; Oil prices; Social assistance spending; Middle East; North Africa; East Africa; Middle East and Central Asia; Global; oil importer; oil exporter; reform outcome; reforms in the Middle East; Oil
Legal-disclaimer:
The Departmental Paper Series presents research by IMF staff on issues of broad regional or cross-country interest. The views expressed in this paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.
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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.
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Cover Departmental Papers
Departmental Papers
ISSN:
2616-5333
Publisher:
International Monetary Fund
Volume 2014: Issue 008