Al-Bassat’s position came after a meeting he held with importers, supermarket owners, and merchants, where he explained that the rise in prices witnessed during March and April as a result of the increase in the cost of production, transportation, and insurance, is supposed to be offset today by a similar decrease with the decline in costs globally.
He pointed out that some commodities, such as vegetables, meat, and a number of canned goods, began to record a gradual decline, but this is still below the required level, pointing out that the Ministry daily monitors the prices of about 60 basic commodities, and works to ensure that the decline in gasoline and diesel prices is reflected in selling prices.
Al-Bassat stressed that the ministry will not allow unjustified profit margins at the expense of citizens, noting that more than 70 monitors carry out about 100 field inspections weekly in coordination with the judiciary and security services to pursue violations.
Al-Bassat also stressed that suspending the decree related to environmental fees does not justify maintaining any increases in prices, stressing that protecting the purchasing power of citizens remains a priority, and that the ministry will continue to press to ensure an actual decline in commodity prices during the next stage.
