Analysts expect no immediate effect on consumer prices: current stock covers market needs at least to the end of next quarter.
The meeting closed by forming a joint Chamber–ministry committee, meeting weekly to follow implementation and reporting monthly to the federation’s board.
Where the divisions stand
Chamber figures put the number of registered businesses at 41,000, up by 3,400 on last year, most of them in retail and logistics.
The small trader is not asking for a subsidy. He is asking for one clear rule that does not change every three months.
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.
What happens next
- lower customs release costs among next quarter’s priorities
- A review of the timetable with the trade divisions
- A monthly report to the federation’s board
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.
Mostafa Abdel-Latif
Reem El-Qady
Mona Abdel-Hakim