(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
Doha: The Ministry of Commerce and industry (MoCI) organised a ceremony to honour the entities participating in the initiatives to subsidise the prices of consumer goods, sheep meat during Ramadan, as well as sacrifices, under an initiative launched by the Ministry in 2022. The ceremony was attended by a number of Ministry officials and company owners.
During his speech on this occasion, Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Al Bohashem Al Sayed, Director of Quality Licensing and market Control Department at the Ministry, stressed the importance of the ceremony as it comprises a significant occasion to celebrate the success of the initiatives launched by the Ministry to subsidize the prices of consumer goods and red meat in 2022. The ceremony also comprised a chance to honor government and private agencies that played a key role in these achievements, Dr. Al Bohashem pointed out, further expressing the pride he felt of the spirit of cooperation, as well as the joint and continuous coordination between the Ministry and all concerned parties, for the end of meeting citizens and residents' various needs.
Such efforts contribute to achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to build an advanced State, capable of achieving sustainable development and ensuring a maintained decent living for its people, generations to come.
The Ministry is keen to implement such initiatives to protect consumer rights and enhance their purchasing power during periods of high demand for basic and consumer food items and commodities, especially during Ramadan, Dr. Al Bohashem said. In cooperation with the concerned government agencies and a number of private sector representatives, including sales outlets in Qatar, merchants, and suppliers, the Ministry has sought to launch initiatives for reducing commodity pricing and subsidizing sheep meat prices during Ramadan, as well as the prices of sacrifices for 1443 AH/ 2022 AD.
In this regard, Dr. Al Bohashem pointed out that the Ministry, in cooperation with major outlets in Qatar, and through its annual initiative for reducing goods prices, had succeeded in increasing the number of items and goods covered by the initiative by 23% compared to last year. The list of discounted goods currently includes more than 800 food and consumer commodities. The initiative hence contributes to reducing the rate of consumer spending on basic necessities by 14%.
Moreover, Dr. Al Bohashem explained that in parallel with that, through the subsidizing sheep meat prices initiative, which comes within the framework of encouraging local production and supporting farm owners, subsidies covered about 30,000 sheep during the blessed month of Ramadan, and about 12,500 sacrifices. The entire quantity was sold, in coordination with the Ministry of Municipality and Widam Food Company.
Dr. Al Bohashem stressed that work was still underway in cooperation with various concerned authorities and institutions to enhance price stability in local markets, strike a balance between supply and demand, protect competition, and prevent monopolistic practices, according to a clear and integrated strategy based on the National Vision, oriented towards meeting all the aspirations of Qatar's citizens and residents. Dr. Al Bohashem further expressed his aspiration that this recognition would motivate joint action to further progress and prosperity in Qatar.
The honoring ceremony included a presentation of the Ministry's initiatives to subsidize the prices of consumer goods and red meat for 2022, to clarify the nature and objectives of these initiatives.
The ceremony featured honoring the entities that participated in the Ministry's initiatives to subsidize the prices of consumer goods and red meat for 2022. This recognition marks the Ministry' appreciation of the efforts of the entities participating in its initiatives, and their outstanding contribution to the success of these initiatives, as a result of all entities' concerted and coordinated efforts.