Price increase: Nadia Fettah tries to reassure the MPs
The Parliament recess did not prevent Nadia Fettah from coming on Tuesday, March 21 before the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives to discuss the economic and social situation, marked by rising prices at all levels. The Minister of Economy and Finance was to discuss the measures taken by the government to deal with the soaring prices of consumer products and to protect the purchasing power of citizens. This subject, the examination of which has been requested by all the parliamentary groups, is very sensitive. The timing of this meeting of the Finance Committee does not make it possible to report on the debates. We will limit ourselves here to the minister’s presentation.
Even if the minister wanted to be reassuring, hydrocarbon stocks give rise to some concerns. The reserves of gasoline available cover the national needs of 53 days and those of diesel barely 29 days. As for the stock of butane gas, it hardly covers more than 26 days.
On the eve of the month of Ramadan, the Government is haunted by the market supply situation. The minister affirmed that the markets are supplied with sufficient foodstuffs, particularly those which are consumed during this holy month. Thus, the supply of agricultural products, fruits and vegetables, is sufficient to cover national needs. But in order to stem speculation and reduce the number of intermediaries, the Government is preparing a reform of the wholesale fruit and vegetable markets and fish markets. It is a question of developing a roadmap aimed at modernizing this equipment so that it meets consumer requirements.
For Nadia Fettah , the wheat stock varies between two and three months while the sugar reserves exceed four months. Ditto for stocks of oils and butter of more than two months. Similarly, the supply of products widely consumed during this month, such as dates and milk, is sufficient to largely cover demand. National needs for pulses will also be covered, especially since significant quantities were imported during the first months of this year.
M.C.
