Trade minister opens up to Echourouk

In a lengthy interview with Echourouk, the trade minister Mustapha Ben Badda has dwelt on several issues pertaining to his sector and responded to the reporter’s questioning over the citizens’ interests.

• Reacting to the criticism that surrounded the skyrocketing prices of the basic food commodities including potatoes, the minister has indicated to Echourouk that this product bides by the international law of offer and demand. M Benbadda has further indicated that exceptionally this year, the stocked quantities have been consumed rapidly but didn’t renewed on time due to the extreme weather condition that swept through various regions of the country this winter.

• But, the minister added, this crisis should be a lesson to ponder on in order to prevent such turbulences in the future, the authorities should think in extending the stocking period and boos production because its’ the most appropriate solution to curb the frenzy of prices.

• M Ben Badda has asserted that the relevant authorities have taken all their responsibilities and conducted investigations to detect the speculators but only one case of infringement has been registered and the quantities stocked didn’t exceed 350 quintals representing three days of consumption.

• The minister went on saying that the authorities didn’t want to import potato to curb the prices in order to avoid the scandal of the so called “ pigs potato” that broke out in 2007. As to the problem of pulses, the minister has indicated that the prices increased by 40% on the international markets.

• Replying to the question that the increases have touched other goods including cars and furniture, M Ben Badda has declared that the phenomenon was linked to inflation that hiked by 4% and the improvement of the Algerian citizen’s purchasing power.

• As to appropriate means to eradicate the parallel markets, the minister has indicated that figures reveal the existence of 600 markets across the country where 75 to 85 thousand illegal sellers operate and the number is higher if we include those who operate on the streets.

• M Ben Badda went on saying that the solution to the problem lies in the creation of 1400 commercial spaces across the country to absorb this huge number, but several hurdles have prevented the authorities from fulfilling this objective.

• M Ben Badda has admitted that a citizen that owns 15 thousand Algerian Dinars a month cannot afford leading a decent life that’s why the Algerian government has decided to increase the salaries to approximately 40 thousand Algerian Dinars which is a positive step for the society’s well being.

• As to the sudden and unexpected request from the IMF to the Algerian authorities asking them assistance, the minister has declared that the finance minister has pronounced on the matter when he declared that the Algerian authorities will discuss the issue even if the request was not exceptional.