Bahrain’s King Hamad increases food subsidies amid Egypt turmoil

King Hamad of Bahrain has ordered a hike in food subsidies in the Gulf state, the latest move in Middle Eastern capitals to ease the burden on their populations.

Food price inflation has been the spark for mass protests in both Tunisia and Egypt, leading to the downfall of both countries’ presidents.

The state-run Bahrain News Agency said that King Hamad had raised subsidies on meats, flour and poultry in the country, as well as boosting allocations for social welfare.

The agency reported that the move was made in order to offset the rising costs of food worldwide.

Bahrain is just the latest country to take action against spiraling food price inflation.

Algeria, Libya and Jordan have either relaxed food taxes or duties on food imports or cut prices of staple food.

Elsewhere in the Gulf, Kuwait recently introduced a generous stipend and free food for its citizens until March 2012 to ease the pain of higher costs.

Protests are planned in Bahrain on 14 February, the ninth anniversary of King Hamad’s declaration of the country as a constitutional monarchy.