Raising Bahrain's public debt ceiling to 15 billion dinars ($39.682 billion) puts further pressure on the country's public budget, while plans to pay off accumulated debts since Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa took office in 1999 are absent.

Minister of Electricity and Water Abdulhussein Mirza said that the ministry will compare the bills of citizens' first domicile for this summer (June, July and August) with the same bills of last year.

Minister of Oil Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said that total government support for oil derivatives in local markets over the past year was 70 million dinars.

The government will start next week a new increase in diesel prices reaching up to 12.5%, in a pre-planned increase as part of the kingdom's plans to structure government support for the energy sector and address fiscal deficits, while Bahraini carriers companies have confirmed that they have already prepared for this increase and that the effects will be limited.

Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has proclaimed its commitment to the implementation of the Value Added Tax (VAT) following its recent adoption by the Shura Council and the House of Representatives.

Ministry of Labour and Social Development announced that it had completed its preparations to deposit the compensations for lifting subsidies on meat that the government deposit every 3 months in the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, in advance for the months of April, May and June 2018.

Numbers published by Electricity and Water Authority showed that government subsidies on electricity dropped 62 million BD after approving the new tariff for electricity last year.

Finance Ministry Undersecretary Aref Khamis denied on Monday (August 21, 2017) any plans to issue a decision to increase the prices of flour.

Bahraini government rejected two proposals made by parliament, aimed at compensating butchers who suffered losses as a result of the decision to lift meat subsidies.

The Bahrain Observatory for Human Rights called on the Bahraini government to commit to the tripartite agreement signed between the government, employers and the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions that stipulates reinstating all employees dismissed over the 2011 events.

Mr. Sayed Salman Al-Mahfouz, Secretary General of the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions, whose term has ended, called on all parties to launch initiatives to reach an agreement that can put an end to this crisis that "has exhausted all of us."

Bahrain�s Professional Fishermen�s Association Secretary Abdul Ameer Al-Mughni stressed that 10% of the fishermen stopped fishing due to the decision to lift subsidies on fuel.

The leader of Bahrain�s main opposition group, Al-Wefaq Secretary-General Sheikh Ali Salman, said that �the deterioration of the economic situation in the country is a result of rejecting political reform.�

Thousands of Bahrainis took to the streets on Friday (January 15, 2016) to express their opposition to the government policy of lifting subsidies on the basic commodities and services and depriving the families of political prisoners from social assistance.

Bahrain�s Minister of Energy Abdulhussain Mirza implied that there is a possibility of raising gasoline prices again, explaining that Bahrain�s Ministry of Energy was assigned to study a suitable mechanism, and recommended it to the Cabinet in order to set gasoline prices in the future.

The General Federation of Workers Trade Unions in Bahrain (GFWTUB) said that the government�s decision to raise gasoline prices violates both the text and spirit of a principle confirmed by the constitution, which is not resorting to steps that would rest additional financial burdens on citizens.

The General Secretariat of Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society demanded on (January 12, 2015) to �respect the religious peculiarities of the Shiite sect, which is a significant part of respecting religious rituals,� adding that �it is the government�s duty to guarantee that the freedom of religious rituals is not violated.�

The Bahraini national democratic opposition forces warned of the negative consequences of lifting subsidies on basic commodities and the economic and financial deterioration on the citizens� purchasing capabilities, the shifting of citizen classes to poverty line and continued dwindling of the middle class.

Bahrain Mirror: Bahrain's Information and Parliament Affairs Minister Isa Al-Hammadi stated that "there will be no allowance (aid) to compensate Bahrainis for the increase in oil prices,"

Bahrain Mirror: Bahrain's main opposition group, Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, rejected what it described as "the immense flounder caused by the blundered and improvised policies which failed to deal with the accumulating economic crises,