TRIPOLI: In an effort to stem the flow of subsidised fuel and other commodities out of Libya, notably to Tunisia, the Tripoli-based continuing General National Congress (GNC) has announced its intention to raise the price of such goods and instead give each Libyan citizen an additional 50 dinars in cash each month.
Stating a connection between illegal immigration and the smuggling of subsidised goods, the GNC said it will raise the costs of fuel and other commodities to be more in line with actual costs. This will, said the GNC, allow for the country and its residents to benefit and keep smugglers from profiting off of Libya’s wealth.
The GNC has asked the Finance Committee to begin to work on the implementation of this. It has also asked the judicial authorities to do all possible to seize smugglers and bring them to justice.
The proposal to reduce subsidies on certain products, such as fuel, and compensate by giving Libyans cash instead in order to make smuggling less lucrative has been under discussion within Congress and the administration for at least two years.
