By RFIPosted on 14-10-2018Modified on 14-10-2018 at 23:31

In Congo-Brazzaville, a notebook now costs more than a beer. This is the consequence of the sale of alcoholic beverages by brewing companies. The Congolese Ministry of Commerce is going to war against these promotions that it has just banned in a circular in order to put an end to the immoderate consumption of alcohol. The government decision is variously appreciated.

Three bottles of beer at 1,000 CFA francs, instead of 1,500 CFA francs, lately it is at this promotional price that bars and other places of enjoyment offer beer. This promotion no longer passes in the eyes of the Ministry of Commerce which prohibited in a circular.

The circular of the Ministry of Commerce to prohibit the sale of beer on sale in Congo-Brazzaville. © Screenshot

" When you give a young person the opportunity to take three beers at 1,000 FCFA, you will find that a 200-page book costs more than a beer. This is absurd in front of this youth who must learn and who must go to school ", justifies Philippe Nsondé-Mondzié, the director general in charge of the repression of commercial fraud.

The Congolese Consumers' Rights Observatory believes that the decision comes late, because the promotion of beer has really gained ground, according to its executive secretary Mermans Babounga. " It's a good thing that comes a bit too late and it should not stop at a simple circular, " he says.

Consumers themselves do not appreciate the measurement in the same way. " Alcohol has become cheaper and I think it's not a good thing, " says a consumer. " With the promotion, you can have four bottles at 1,000 FCFA, it relaxes you and it feels good, " says another who defends the promotional prices of beers.

For their part, the Brasseries du Congo (Brasco) did not wish to explain the impact that the government measure might have on their turnover.

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