Bahrain Mirror: Bloomberg, the economic news website, said Bahrain pledged to implement steps to repair its strained finances widely seen as crucial to help the kingdom receive support from Gulf Arab allies.

Prime Minister Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa set up a committee to devise plans to balance the budget, the Bahrain News Agency reported. The group, whose members include the finance minister and central bank chief, will present its plans to the premier, who will take a decision "at the earliest possible time."

The announcement comes after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait said they were working with Bahrain on a program to stabilize its finances after the kingdom's bonds tumbled and its credit risk surged to a record-high.

Investors fear that without help from its neighbors, Bahrain would be forced to abandon its currency peg, raising questions about the ability of other Gulf nations to sustain their own currency policies.

No details were provided on the nature of discussions between Bahrain and its allies. In November, Bloomberg News reported that the three countries asked the kingdom to do more to bring its finances under control in return for the money.

The prime minister said the government was committed to implement economic reforms without burdening citizens.

Arabic Version