Yesterday, the Ministry of Economy stated that it agreed with suppliers of goods to deal with new alternative markets for importing goods from them, especially vegetables and fruits, in the event of emergencies, variables or natural and abnormal disasters in the markets, which are heavily relied upon to supply the goods, Especially with the approaching month of Ramadan.

The ministry stated in press statements that the stock of vegetables and fruits has increased since this year, to reach 150 thousand tons, compared to 130 thousand tons during the past year, confirming the commitment of the sales outlets to provide basic and Ramadan commodities in large quantities at competitive prices.

New markets

In detail, the Director of the Competition and Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Economy, Dr. Hashem Al-Nuaimi, said that a plan has been put in place to import food and consumer goods, especially vegetables and fruits, from new markets instead of markets that are currently in crisis or disasters. Al-Nuaimi added in press statements in Abu Dhabi yesterday that the Ministry agreed with the suppliers of commodities, especially the basic ones, to deal with alternative markets in order to face any emergencies, variables or natural and abnormal disasters in the markets, which are heavily relied upon to supply goods with approaching The advent of Ramadan.

Deliver goods

Al-Naimi indicated that the ministry reviewed, during the series of recent meetings it held with commodity suppliers, especially food commodities, commodity import markets, where emphasis was placed on providing goods in large quantities in preparation for the month of Ramadan, as well as providing paper and not increasing prices for any commodity except after submitting an application Official price increase to the Supreme Committee, through the Ministry of Economy, including the reasons for requesting the increase and prices in the country of origin and in other countries and others, and obtaining formal written approval from the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection.

alternative plan

Al-Naimi said that there are countries that have been subjected to emergencies and floods during the past years, which led to a lack of production and a halt in exports, to provide for the needs of the local market from these countries, pointing out that it was relied on in some basic crops.

He added that an alternative plan was used for the source of the goods, as the state’s vegetable and fruit committee diversified the source of the goods and imported them from many other countries in large quantities, confirming the ability of the ministry, suppliers, and the competent authorities to repeat the experiment with any goods that are difficult to import from its source.

Increase in inventory

Al-Naimi indicated that the stock of vegetables and fruits has increased since the beginning of this year, to reach 150,000 tons, compared to 130,000 tons of stock last year, an increase of 20,000 tons.

He emphasized the commitment of the outlets to provide basic and Ramadan commodities in large quantities at competitive prices, calling on consumers and visitors to the outlets to communicate with the Consumer Protection Contact Center in the event of any shortage or high prices for any commodity.

Price fixing

Al-Nuaimi indicated that the Ministry held meetings with suppliers and various sales outlets in the country, to prepare new initiatives before Ramadan, and to emphasize the activation of previous initiatives and their continuation until the end of the year, which includes fixing the prices of 6000 items of food and consumer goods, selling many goods at the cost price, and selling at Less than the cost, and an increase in the price detectors, with funds allocated to support commodities in Ramadan with a value of up to 400 million dirhams, to be presented through offers and discounts of some items up to 90%.

Inspection campaigns

The Director of Competition and Consumer Protection in the Ministry of Economy, Dr. Hashem Al-Nuaimi, said that "consumer protection" is currently preparing to activate the second phase of the plan for preparing for the month of Ramadan, by organizing intensive inspection campaigns, before, during and after the month of Ramadan, to ensure the availability of goods and the stability of their prices.

• The Ministry agreed with suppliers to deal with alternative markets.

• Stressing the provision of goods in large quantities in preparation for Ramadan.

• 6000 items of food and consumer goods, the prices of which were fixed until the end of 2020.