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.
The meeting closed by forming a joint Chamber–ministry committee, meeting weekly to follow implementation and reporting monthly to the federation’s board.
The Chamber’s view
The Chamber had earlier launched a trader training programme on e-invoicing, taken up by more than 2,100 participants across six governorates.
The small trader is not asking for a subsidy. He is asking for one clear rule that does not change every three months.
Analysts expect no immediate effect on consumer prices: current stock covers market needs at least to the end of next quarter.
Where the divisions stand
- an expanded Ahlan Ramadan fair among next quarter’s priorities
- A review of the timetable with the trade divisions
- A monthly report to the federation’s board
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.
Reem El-Qady
Mona Abdel-Hakim