Ministerial meeting looks at measures to tackle price hike

AMMAN — A ministerial meeting on Wednesday discussed price hikes and measures adopted to control them, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Held at the Ministry of Interior, the meeting was attended by Interior Minister Mazen Faraya, Minister of State for Media Affairs Faisal Shboul, Industry Minister Yousef Shamali and Agriculture Minister Khalid Hneifat, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During the meeting, Faraya referred to efforts exerted to control prices in the market, highlighting factors leading to the global price hike, most important of which are the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as high shipping and transport costs.

Underlining the importance of oversight and follow-up, he called for more inspection tours in coordination with the concerned authorities, including administrative rulers.

Inspection tours aim to ensure the implementation of  government measures, detect violators, increase  penalties in the event of a repeat violation, respond in a timely manner to any illogical rise in prices, and ensure the availability of materials by curbing the monopolising of some commodities.

Faraya highlighted the public’s role in contributing to reducing prices by reporting violations, if any, to the concerned authorities, in addition to the importance of changing negative consumer patterns. 

For his part, Shboul highlighted governmental measures taken to mitigate price spikes in accordance with Royal directives, adding that they have constituted an additional burden to the Treasury. 

Hneifat lauded efforts made by administrators in controlling prices, adding that the agricultural sector has “maintained its national responsibility”.

Both Hneifat and Shamali praised the commitment of farmers and breeders to fixed price, and refraining from raising them.