Director General of the Ministry of Economy reassures via “Akhbar Alaan”: We are monitoring the price movement
Within a few hours, the situation in Lebanon transformed from a war confined to the border areas with Israel, to bloody raids in large areas and waves of displacement, and a shock the country had not witnessed since July 2006. These developments created great anxiety and tension among citizens, which quickly translated into crowds at gas stations, and a rush on food and bread.
This behavior is the owner Lebanese Throughout crises, they have become accustomed to resorting to grocery stores to buy and stock up on water and food in case things go wrong. Is there really a need to stock up on food and what is the role of the Ministry of Economy? What measures are being taken to control the market?
“Akhbar Alaan” contacted the Director General of the Lebanese Ministry of Economy, Dr. Muhammad Abu Haidar, to find out the most important steps taken by the ministry.
Abu Haidar reassured in a special statement to “Akhbar Alaan” that the Ministry of Economy is working on the crisis, specifically on 3 levels.
The first level, according to Abu Haidar, is related to the supply chain. He said: We have provided facilities for the export of goods that require a Ministry of Economy visa through the Ministry’s website or through an application, so that the importer can now submit a request to register a customs declaration visa online and track it, in the event that he is unable to reach the Ministry’s office.
The second level is related to food products and importers. Abu Haidar stated: I contacted the Importers Syndicate, who distributed warehouses in several areas, so if the transportation network fails, we will be able to deliver the goods to all places.
Regarding the third level, which is related to prices, Abu Haidar confirmed that there is strict control over prices and all supermarkets. He pointed out that “to date, we have not witnessed any shortage of goods,” and said: As long as the sea line is open, we will not face a shortage of goods. Lebanon imports more than 80% of its needs, most of which pass through the port. He added: We are following up on the distribution of the food supply chain, and therefore no store or supermarket suffers from a shortage of any commodity.
The Director General of the Ministry of Economy spoke about the operating cost, stressing that diesel is available, as well as gasoline and domestic gas, and said: Therefore, there is no need to store any material.
He reassured that the Ministry of Economy is also monitoring price movements to prevent them from being exploited by the so-called “crisis traders.”
The Lebanese Minister of Economy, Amin Salam, had revealed in TV interview The amount of food available in Lebanon is sufficient for the country’s needs for at least 4 months.
Salam pointed out that there are additional existing orders for food shipments, which are delivered daily to Lebanon, explaining that meetings have already been held with the aim of securing special routes that guarantee the continuity and safety of food distribution operations and the entry of trucks loaded with petroleum products in general into Lebanon, specifically in the southern and Bekaa regions.
Head of Food Importers Syndicate: We are safe
For his part, the head of the Syndicate of Food Importers in Lebanon, Hani Al-Bahsali, confirmed to “Akhbar Alaan” that there is no problem in terms of supply, and he said: As long as the supply chain is secure, there should be no problem, whether in terms of food shortages or rising prices.
He stressed that food security is in a good state, adding: This indicates that there should be no rush by citizens to supermarkets, and there should be no abnormal increase in the prices of goods due to the rush.
He explained that supply is greater than demand and the goods are available, revealing that there has been some kind of crowding and rushing to the supermarket in the past two days, with the expansion of the war. However, he returned and reassured that the goods are currently available and there is no rush by people. He added: If things remain the same, we are safe.
As for the Minister of Industry in the caretaker government, MP George Bouchikian, he confirmed that “the Ministry of Industry works as a crisis and emergency cell,” noting that “the integration between the ministry and the production sector is based on cooperation, coordination and concerted efforts to continue the wheel of manufacturing various strategic products; such as medicine, medical and hospital supplies, anesthesia, sterilization, clothing for medical devices, and basic food and necessary products; such as cleaning tools, manufacturing needs and machines.”
He said: “There is a high degree of awareness, readiness and full preparedness, because the aggression is great and requires general mobilization and confrontation to mitigate risks and absorb the strikes with minimal losses.”
