Federal National Council member Ahmad Al Zaabi speaks during yesterday's FNC session at the FNC building in Abu Dhabi, during which the price of petrol was debated.
Federal National Council member Ahmad Al Zaabi speaks during yesterday's FNC session at the FNC building in Abu Dhabi, during which the price of petrol was debated.

Petrol price should be cut, says FNC



ABU DHABI // FNC members yesterday called for the price of petrol to be slashed, to bring it into line with prices in the rest of the GCC.

While drivers in Saudi Arabia pay as little as Dh0.68 for a litre of 95-octane fuel, forecourts in the UAE charge more than double that - Dh1.72 a litre. No other GCC country charges more than Dh1.14.

Members decided at yesterday's FNC session to form a temporary committee to consider the potential consequences of reducing petrol prices, despite protests from the Minister of Energy, Mohamed Al Hamili.

"UAE prices are tied to the global market," the minister said. "Neighbouring countries' prices are different because they subsidise petrol."

Ahmed Al Zaabi (Sharjah) argued that the UAE's oil production, which is greater than some other GCC members, should allow it to sell petrol for less.

"Look at the GCC, in Qatar a litre is Dh1, and in Saudi Arabia around that, and the same in Oman - and it doesn't produce much, less than here," he said.

The minister insisted the UAE was bound by international agreements to tie its prices to the global markets.

He said the Government was already supporting prices, at cost to petrol retailers, who had been losing money since 2003. The four main retailers lost Dh8.5billion in 2011 alone, and this year could lose Dh12bn, he said.

"These petrol companies have been victims of this for a long time. So there is indirect support for people."

Mr Al Zaabi said low-income families were struggling to afford more expensive fuel. "There will be a lot of problems if prices in country stays as they are," he said.

He called for an increase in local production, and for more refineries to be built.

The minister said importing petrol was sometimes cheaper than producing it locally, but Mr Al Zaabi replied: "As a UAE citizen, I should buy from my own country, like other GCC citizens do in their countries. Why are the global prices my problem?"

He suggested the council put a recommendation to the Cabinet that prices should be brought in line with the rest of the GCC.

The Speaker, Mohamed Al Murr (Dubai) said members should bear in mind that Emiratis were a minority in the UAE before making a recommendation that would benefit both Emiratis and expatriates.

Ahmed Al Amash (RAK) suggested bigger subsidies should be given only to UAE nationals - an idea immediately rejected by Salim Al Ameri (Abu Dhabi).

"The recommendation should be for all because in the UAE some expatriates work in the Government, and at the federal level they work for us," he said.

Mr Al Zaabi said cheaper petrol would have wider benefits, reducing the cost of transport and other services. "It is a continuous circle," he said. "We are not looking at a person, local or not, or company - but overall."

Mohamed Al Qubaisi (Abu Dhabi), who sympathised with the minister, suggested a temporary committee could be formed to consider the effect of cheaper petrol, as it was a "sensitive issue".

That proposal secured a majority of the FNC. Six members were elected to the new committee: Mr Al Zaabi, Hamad Al Rahoumi (Dubai), Dr Mona Al Bahar (Dubai), Sultan Al Sammhi (Fujariah), Marwan bin Ghalita (Dubai) and Mr Al Qubaisi (Abu Dhabi).

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.

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed 

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Essentials

The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes. 
 

Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes. 


In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes. 
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.

England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29

The specs

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Engine: Twin electric motors and 95kWh battery pack

Transmission: Single-speed auto

Power: 408hp

Torque: 664Nm

Range: 400 kilometres

SCORES IN BRIEF

New Zealand 153 and 56 for 1 in 22.4 overs at close
Pakistan 227
(Babar 62, Asad 43, Boult 4-54, De Grandhomme 2-30, Patel 2-64)

Company%20profile
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Cricket World Cup League 2

UAE squad

Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind

Fixtures

Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE


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