Stakeholders expect smooth Ramadan, willing to cooperate

AMMAN — Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour directed concerned officials to ensure that commodities are available during Ramadan and markets are under the scrutiny of oversight authorities. 

Ensour also directed the Water and Irrigation Ministry to make sure that water supply is provided to households without interruption during the fasting month, which starts on June 17 or 18, depending on new moon sighting.

The prime minister was speaking at a meeting with stakeholders he chaired at the Industry, Trade and Supply Ministry on Monday to discuss preparations for the holy month, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Citing a study conducted by the Industry, Trade and Supply Ministry, Ensour said that the prices of foodstuff have been stable in general. He said that the prices of 61 commodities have been tracked from the start of 2015 until June 1 and compared to figures recorded in the same period in 2014.

The study revealed that 31 commodities witnessed a decrease in prices, 21 commodities saw an increase, while nine commodities kept selling for the same price. Two-thirds of the foodstuff items saw a drop in prices, the premier noted, stressing that the decreasing inflation rate is the true measure of price levels. 

On market monitoring during Ramadan, the premier said inspection tours should be organised and done swiftly without interrupting shoppers, whose numbers increase during the fasting month.

Ensour also commented on the issue of smuggling items from the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, a main complaint by traders in the rest of the country, saying the government has enhanced the measures taken in order to prevent smuggling attempts, according to Petra.

Industry, Trade and Supply Minister Maha Ali said at the meeting that the ministry always checks with the Customs Department to observe whether there is a lack of any of the basic commodities, and then coordinates with stakeholders to address the shortage.

She said the current stocks of basic commodities in the Kingdom are enough for periods varying between 3 to 12 months depending on the commodity.

Water and Irrigation Minister Hazem Nasser said in spite of the “huge” number of Syrian and other refugees in the Kingdom, the summer of 2015 will be better than last year in regard to water supply, thanks to a campaign to end water thefts and investments in the water sector worth hundreds of millions. 

Amman Chamber of Commerce President Issa Murad referred to the flow of goods, demanding smooth customs clearance procedures during Ramadan and a unified authority to monitor the flow of commodities, Petra reported.