Ministry of Economy announces integrated plan to support consumers during Ramadan

Mohammed Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz Al Shihhi, Director General of the Ministry of Economy, said that the plan is line with the directions of His Excellency Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri UAE Minister of Economy to ensure that consumers are not affected by any market price manipulations.

The new plan focuses on five major areas including meeting retail outlets, government departments, suppliers, field visits and an advertising campaign.

Mr Al Shihhi said that the Ministry has already met representatives from local departments in each Emirate including municipalities, chambers of commerce and economic departments and Emirates Coop and Emirates Community for Consumer Protection. He confirmed that all parties agreed to provide adequate support to protect consumer rights before and during Ramadan.

Mr Al Shihhi said: "We have agreed with all concerned parties to join hands to avoid any manipulation of prices, and we have already established censorship team works in cooperation with the Ministry's offices in each emirate to closely monitor the sale of meat, vegetables, fish and chicken at all major retail outlets. We will also coordinate awareness campaigns before and during Ramadan to inform consumers on the availability of commodities. This is to avoid the tendency to make rush purchases before and after the Holy Month. There will be special lectures for the team to guide consumers on the best ways to monitor the market. The ministry will distribute leaflets and brochures in coordination with the local departments that will guide consumers on the right behavior and avoid any manipulation attempts".

Al Shhihi said that the Ministry of Economy has already issued a series of recommendations that were published in local newspapers alerting suppliers from making any illegal attempts to rig prices.

The Ministry has coordinated with local departments to ask suppliers of rice, meat, chicken, wheat, oil, juices and dairy products to stablise prices during Ramadan.

The Ministry also met suppliers of fruits and vegetables in all seven emirates to ensure prices will remain stable during the Holy Month, as well as to increase the availability of fruits and vegetables. The Ministry has urged them to place price lists on each product and adhere to the social responsibility of the suppliers to the consumers.

Al Shihhi said that the Ministry will intensify ground visits to ensure actual price stability in cooperation with all concerned parties. The visits will take place before and during the Holy Month.

He added: "The MoE has instructed price supervision committees formed by the ministry office in each Emirate and other local authorities to conduct field visits around the clock. We are keen to place controllers in fruit and vegetable's markets to prevent monopoly and any price manipulation and to ensure the implementation of the relevant Federal laws."
The MoE has set a plan to guide consumer behaviour including a communication scheme with media outlets to publish guidelines to consumers and suppliers. It also intends to put out a warning advertisement to suppliers cautioning them about legal action if they fail to comply with the Federal Law no. 24/2006.

The plan includes distributing awareness brochures, warning suppliers against monopoly practices or price manipulation during Ramadan.

MoE is also coordinating with the Islamic affairs and Awqaf Authority to spread awareness against hoarding goods. The MoE has assured the community of continuous and regular supply of key goods in the markets. The plan includes setting up interviews on broadcast media highlighting preparations for Ramadan.