The Ministry of Economy confirmed that it has taken a number of urgent measures in order to ensure the availability of goods and the smooth flow of their access to markets, to control prices, and to meet consumer needs. The ministry stressed in a press statement that "controlling the prices of food commodities is a priority for the ministry's work teams," and stressed that it coordinates with suppliers and partners in foreign markets to increase the volume of import of basic commodities, such as vegetables in general, and onions in particular, and pump them into the markets to enhance the offering Of which. She stressed that she continues to work in this framework, in cooperation with its partners in the economic departments and the relevant local authorities. It is noteworthy that the price of onions recorded a decrease of more than 50%, as the price of a kilo of Indian onion reached 2 dirhams at suppliers.
The director of the Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Economy, Dr. Hashem Al-Nuaimi, said that the ministry is taking all necessary measures to ensure the availability and diversity of goods in the various markets of the country, explaining that the markets do not suffer from any shortage of food and non-food commodities, especially basic and strategic commodities.
He added that the issue of controlling prices is one of the priorities, which the Ministry teams work in cooperation with its partners in the local authorities to ensure that they are controlled. The ministry holds regular meetings with suppliers, merchants and sales outlets to coordinate quantities, and it also conducts field visits to warehouses and warehouses, whether affiliated with cooperatives and outlets, or are located in ports, to ensure the availability of goods and the arrival of shipments.
Hashem Al-Naimi praised the vital role of consumer cooperatives in boosting stocks of basic commodities, explaining that, according to the last meeting with representatives of consumer cooperatives, the capacity of cooperative stores has reached 80% so far, and will reach 100%, before the holy month of Ramadan. Al-Nuaimi added that the ministry continues to carry out field visits to all markets and consumer cooperatives.
In addition, the Ministry, in cooperation with economic departments in the various emirates of the country, carries out daily field inspection rounds, and the secret shopper is sent to monitor the state of the markets on a daily basis, to verify the validity of complaints received from consumers, to control any exploitative practices, foremost of which is to raise prices unjustified.
Al-Naimi said: We would like to emphasize the importance of the positive role of the consumer in supporting the state’s efforts in this regard, through reporting to the ministry or local regulatory authorities about any exaggerated price increases, and we are keen to deal with all complaints received, and take appropriate action in the event of confirmation Of her health.