As the ramifications of fuel price deregulation continue to be discussed, some of the speculation has turned to whether the price of electricity and water might also be reconsidered. One might argue that the case for these utilities to more closely match their true cost of production is even more compelling than the case for fuel.
However, it is equally clear that anything that causes the cost of living to increase needs to be introduced gradually, to balance the benefit against the effect it has on the budgets of those on the lower rungs of the economic ladder. If such a rebalancing of utility costs is being considered, we don’t expect it to come imminently. Yet, we can’t help but note the beneficial effects this will have for the health of the economy.
Last year, Abu Dhabi emirate alone spent Dh17.5 billion on subsidising the cost of electricity and water. The high rate of subsidy means low costs for the consumer and little incentive to conserve supplies or use small-scale alternative energy schemes such as solar-powered water heaters.
But there is another compelling argument to reduce the distorting effect of subsidies. First, cheap power and water, in tandem with piffling prices for petrol and diesel, mean we use up more oil than necessary. This is a resource that instead could be sold abroad to the benefit of the exchequer, and by implication the greater good of the country and all those who live in it. True, there is a supply glut right now, but if one were to survey the history of oil and gas, supply and demand stretch and contract like a rubber band. Prudence would dictate that we err on the side of conserving our precious resource for greater opportunity in the future.
Next, artificially cheap everything – electricity, water, fuel – only encourages businesses to pay less heed to efficiency. We are wasteful in the way we conduct our businesses because on balance it currently costs more to be efficient. Conversely, normalising the cost of utilities would go some way towards normalising the nature of our economy. And doing this much would prompt greater attention to the needs of boosting productivity. In other words, to produce more with less. Indeed, it would also create new industries and services that serve the chase for efficiency.
Next week, we will begin to look to the market to set the price of our fuel. If we continue on this path, we might find the markets even more greatly favouring the efforts we exert on our economy.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
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Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Match info
What: Fifa Club World Cup play-off
Who: Al Ain v Team Wellington
Where: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
When: Wednesday, kick off 7.30pm
Company profile
Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018
Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: Health-tech
Size: 22 employees
Funding: Seed funding
Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors
SPECS
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Scotland's team:
15-Sean Maitland, 14-Darcy Graham, 13-Nick Grigg, 12-Sam Johnson, 11-Byron McGuigan, 10-Finn Russell, 9-Ali Price, 8-Magnus Bradbury, 7-Hamish Watson, 6-Sam Skinner, 5-Grant Gilchrist, 4-Ben Toolis, 3-Willem Nel, 2-Stuart McInally (captain), 1-Allan Dell
Replacements: 16-Fraser Brown, 17-Gordon Reid, 18-Simon Berghan, 19-Jonny Gray, 20-Josh Strauss, 21-Greig Laidlaw, 22-Adam Hastings, 23-Chris Harris
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2
Vinicius Junior (71') Mariano (90 2')
Barcelona 0
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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