Bahrain to hike prices of diesel, kerosene

Bahrain on Monday announced plans to cut government subsidies for diesel and kerosene from next month, state media reported, after similar moves by its Gulf neighbours.

BNA news agency cited Energy Minister Abdulhussein Merza as saying the changes would take effect from next month, adding however that subsidies would remain in place for bakeries and fishermen.

The minister also said that the lifting of petrol subsidies was still under consideration.

Saudi Arabia on Monday said it has decided to raise petrol prices by 50 percent from Tuesday as part of subsidy cuts for petroleum products, power and water after posting a record $98 billion budget deficit for 2015.

United Arab Emirates has liberalised fuel prices while Kuwait lifted subsidies on diesel and kerosene from the start of this year.

The Gulf states, which rely heavily on oil income, have been facing tough times since crude prices fell sharply.