Baghdad – WAA
The Ministry of Commerce announced today, Saturday, the completion of naming and pricing 25 basic food items to prevent price manipulation, noting at the same time that they will be available in 6 marketing centers in the capital at a price that is less than 20% of their market value.
The spokesman for the Ministry of Trade, Mohammed Hanoun, told the (INA): “The Ministry of Trade intends to open 6 marketing centers, 3 of which are in the Karkh side and the same in Rusafa, as part of its efforts to be a partner and competitor to the private sector in providing food at reasonable prices.”
He added, “There is a major government trend for the Ministry of Commerce to regain its health by resuming work in the central markets as a first step, and these centers will be a first step to revive the central markets. The new centers are a competitor to the commercial market and will not take the role of the private sector, and they may be an alternative to the commercial market when the commercial market is exposed to a rise and fluctuation in prices.”
He added, “The Ministry of Commerce has taken an important step by naming and pricing 25 basic food items to prevent price manipulation and achieve stability in the market. These items will be available at a price 20% lower than the market price, and will also be available in the new marketing centers that will operate according to the hypermarket concept.”
Regarding how to purchase from these centers, Hanoun said that they “receive citizens, employees, and those covered by social assistance, as well as all members of the security forces, and purchases are made via electronic payment cards.”