“Trade and Industry” Directs Intensive Campaigns to Regulate Markets in Ramadan
Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
The Minister of Industry and Trade in the Yemeni government, Mohammed Al-Ashwal, has called on the ministry’s offices in the governorates to intensify field oversight of markets, regulate prices, and take strict legal measures against violators. This comes as part of efforts to protect consumers and maintain market stability in the holy month of Ramadan.
According to a ministerial circular, Al-Ashwal emphasized the need to redouble monitoring efforts during the current period, which is seeing a surge in demand for Ramadan goods. He stressed the importance of an active field presence to ensure merchants adhere to prices and to prevent any monopolistic practices or manipulation of commodities.
He directed the implementation of regular inspection campaigns across various governorates to monitor violations, particularly cases of price gouging. He also mandated that merchants and suppliers of basic goods review and lower their prices in line with the improvements recorded in the national currency exchange rate, in order to alleviate the living burdens on citizens.
Furthermore, the directives included requiring retail shops to clearly display prices and submit periodic reports via the “Rasd” platform. These reports must include the results of field visits, the number of violations, and the actions taken. The minister also called for enhanced coordination with local authorities and security agencies to facilitate the tasks of oversight teams when necessary.
The Minister affirmed that the ministry will not tolerate any practices that harm the consumer or violate the rules of fair competition. He noted that the integration of official and community efforts is a fundamental element in achieving market stability and strengthening confidence in the supply oversight system.
