Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed has said that 40% of the basic food stuff subsidized by the Government is used by expatriates.
Minister Saeed said most of the subsidized food is used by expatriate workers and in resort food service. He said that therefore a revision to the current subsidy policy was due, as it was not economical to do so.
He added that previous governments had attempted to do so but had failed for various reasons, noting that the present govern ent will seek to rectify the issue.
Minister Saeed said most of the population used basmati and white rice, noting that these were not subsidized.
Most countries used a ration card method to facilitate subsidies.