Doha – When Ramadan officially begins, Morocco has activated the national hotline number 5757 for consumer complaints and observations during the holy month.
This initiative takes place with increasing concerns about food prices, in particular on essential objects that can be seen across the country on Iftar tables.
The short, uniform national telephone number 5757 was put into operation in order to obtain consumer complaints and observations regarding market offers, prices, quality and security of consumer goods during Ramadan.
In addition, citizens can report cases of fraud, illegal trading practices, unfair competition and other violations that may require competent control services.
Citizens across Morocco can choose this number from festivals or mobile phones connected to national telecommunications networks in order to contact the cells defined in various provinces and prefectures.
The service will be available through Ramadan, every day from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Calls to this number are calculated by national telecommunications operators at the same price as a call on a standard fixed network based on the subscription type of the caller, without additional costs or fees.
This initiative is part of the measures for market supply and price monitoring announced on February 4 after the meeting of the Interministerial Commission.
National markets experience extraordinary activities during Ramadan, since, according to authentic Moroccan traditions, a high demand for food for food for Iftar tables are essential.
The authorities reinforce the efforts to ensure sufficient and regular care for basic foods and to strengthen the control mechanisms to protect consumers from illegal practices.
“The government carried out numerous measures to ensure the product availability for citizens and at the same time maintain the optimal health conditions and prices for their shopping power,” said Nadia Fettah, Minister for Economics and Finance.
The price of tradition in Ramadan?
Despite official calming, many Moroccan households are concerned about the traditional price increases that Ramadan accompany. In souks and supermarkets there is a wealth of products, including dried fruits, dates, honey, almonds, semolina and other important essentials for the preparation of Ramadan dishes.
However, the exponential increase in prices concerns consumers who demand strengthened controls to prevent abusive speculation.
The approaching Ramadan period was shaped by an unusual controversy by fish prices, especially sardines. A young fish dealer in Marrakech, Abdelilah El Jabouni, owner of “Le Port de Marrakech”, caused a sensation by selling sardines at MAD 5 per kilogram, while the same fish is sold for MAD 15 and 20 in coastal cities such as Casablanca and Rabat.
This jarrende price difference Has addressed Debate about the role of intermediaries in the Morocco Fish Counter chain. Experts explain that between landing in the port and the sale to the consumer, sardine prices can multiply with seven due to several agents.
According to experts from the fishing industry, several factors influence the availability of sardines, including climate change that has changed the fish distribution patterns, and the overfishing that has exhausted shares.
A biological rest period was implemented in South Fisheries for one and a half to two months in January and February so that the naval fauna can regenerate, which requires additional time before fishing returns to its usual production.
Apart from economic concerns, Ramadan serves as a golden option for certain seasonal dealers. Traditional Pastries Providers see their business summit during this time, whereby the demand in the months of Sha’ban and Ramadan is particularly strong.
Data are different Basic product of the holy month, with Moroccan stands offer different properties of both local and imported varieties at generally affordable prices.
Ramadan presents himself as a unique moment in the life of Moroccans and balances culinary traditions with economic challenges.
The government has undertaken to monitor the markets closely with fraud, monopoly and all forms of speculation to maintain the purchasing power of citizens.
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