فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
In a bid to tackle rising prices and the monopoly of essential goods, Minister of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, has decided to implement decisive measures against “speculators” (referred to as “Sharika”), who are considered one of the main contributors to the hike in consumer goods prices in the markets, despite their availability in sufficient quantities.
This move comes at a time when the government has spent more than 2000 billion dirhams to support producers, farmers, and importers, in addition to subsidies for the goods transport sector.
According to the newspaper As-Sabah in its edition on Wednesday, March 4, 2024, the Interior Minister revealed that the ministry is working on preparing a reform roadmap aimed at improving and modernizing slaughterhouses, wholesale markets for vegetables and fruits, and weekly markets. This step is part of the ministry’s effort to support local communities in the modernization of commercial facilities.
In response to the overlapping responsibilities between various ministries, which has often slowed down reforms, Laftit confirmed that his ministry has started taking practical decisions to develop these vital facilities by involving the Ministries of Agriculture and Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, and Industry and Trade. The ministry has launched tenders for preparing a special study for this reform.
The minister noted that this roadmap would serve as a strategic tool to track and implement reforms on the ground. It will include identifying new projects, as well as projects that will be rehabilitated, relocated, or even closed in various regions. This will be done according to a specific timeline with an institutional and financial structure that aligns with all concerned parties.
Additionally, the Minister of the Interior is preparing a national program to rehabilitate weekly markets, in collaboration with the relevant ministries. The program aims to improve the organization of economic activities within these markets, which will enhance the attractiveness of local areas, contribute to increasing competitiveness and sustainable development, as well as create job opportunities and improve working conditions for traders and artisans.
The government has allocated a financial package of one billion dirhams for this program, which will be financed by various parties. The Ministry of the Interior will contribute 500 million dirhams, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will contribute 250 million dirhams, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade will provide the same amount.
In the context of legal reforms, the Ministry of the Interior, in coordination with the relevant sectors, is working on preparing a legal framework for wholesale markets for vegetables and fruits. This framework aims to organize and develop these markets to meet the necessary equipment and services, as well as enhance modern management techniques.
These steps have drawn criticism from some producers who have criticized successive governments for the delay in reforming distribution chains, which allowed brokers and speculators to control prices and raise them unjustifiably. Farmers and fishermen have complained about selling their products at low prices only for them to reach consumers at inflated prices, which has negatively impacted citizens’ purchasing power, especially amidst government efforts to strengthen the social state through support for vulnerable groups, wage increases, and expanding health coverage.
Source: Fes News Media
