Commercial sector accuses gov't of ignoring its interests

AMMAN – Traders and food importers on Tuesday charged that the government only "remembers" them once a year, in the period leading to the fasting month of Ramadan.

In phone interviews with The Jordan Times, representatives of the commercial sector described the routine yearly meeting between officials and merchants as only "a show seeking to impress the public that the authorities are carrying out their responsibilities in protecting consumers". 

Ghassan Kharfan, vice president of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce, accused decision makers of ignoring the interests of the commercial sector by not consulting them on key economic and business legislation that affect its performance. 

The government did not consult the sector when it drafted the income tax and investment laws, he said, adding that communication between the private and public sectors was "poor”. 

"Even when officials sit with us, they turn a deaf ear to our concerns," Kharfan claimed. 

With Ramadan less than two months away, the sector representative said the government usually arranges meetings with food traders and importers to discuss preparations for the fasting month. 

Kharfan described the annual meetings as unnecessary as they only confuse consumers and the market by giving the impression the Kingdom could witness shortages in food supplies. 

"Food supplies are available all year around and I wonder why authorities focus on Ramadan only," he said, noting that decision makers press for holding such emergency meetings for the benefit of the media and the public. 

Agreeing with Kharfan that authorities remember the sector only on certain occasions, Foodstuff Traders Association President Khalil Haj Tawfiq said protecting consumers from monopoly and cheating should continue all year round not just in Ramadan. 

"We call on the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply not to hold such meetings this year as it has become a boring routine practice that seeks to impress the media and the public," Haj Tawfiq said. 

People buy food items every day, not only in Ramadan, noted Tariq Tabbaa, a member of the Amman Chamber of Commerce board.

He said the authorities exaggerate the issue of food consumption during Ramadan, pointing out that demand during the fasting month only increases for certain products, particularly sweets. 

"Merchants' stocks are always huge and higher than market needs," he added, calling on policy and decision makers to implement a real partnership with the private sector as both serve the country. 

The private sector wants the government to consult businesses before decisions and policies are made and not after, Tabbaa underscored. 

No one was available at the office of the industry, trade and supply minister to comment on traders' remarks.