He added that stock turnover improved by close to 12% over the last quarter, but that the cost of finance remains the first obstacle to expansion in the governorates.
Analysts expect no immediate effect on consumer prices: current stock covers market needs at least to the end of next quarter.
What it means for traders
The meeting closed by forming a joint Chamber–ministry committee, meeting weekly to follow implementation and reporting monthly to the federation’s board.
| Commodity | Last week | This week |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | 41,200 | 42,000 |
| Cement | 3,850 | 3,900 |
Transparency in the supply chain is not a burden on the market; it is what protects it from monopoly.
The ministry’s representative stressed that the new rules aim at transparency in the supply chain rather than at fixing prices, and that breaches will go to the Consumer Protection Agency.
How the decision came about
- the financial-inclusion drive for traders among next quarter’s priorities
- A review of the timetable with the trade divisions
- A monthly report to the federation’s board
A number of importers argue that the proposed timetable needs a transition period of at least six months, so that small businesses can adapt their accounting systems.
Mostafa Abdel-Latif
Mona Abdel-Hakim
Samy Guirguis