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Qatar tribune

Khalid Tawalbeh

Doha

Businessmen and economists have confirmed the availability of sufficient stocks of goods and food products to meet local consumption, stressing that the prices of Ramadan goods are stable and government initiatives, along with promotional offers and discounts, have enhanced market stability and the pace of competition at a time when commercial complexes have stepped up their preparations to welcome the holy month.

Talking to Qatar Tribune, Sultan Al Marri, owner of some businesses in Al Wakra Market, said markets and shops throughout the country have an abundance of food items of all kinds, as well as an increase in supply of rations during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

He added that outlets are engaging in a frenzied competition to draw customers with a variety of offers and discounts on goods, household items, Ramadan supplies and other products.

According to him, the rate of increase in consumption during the month of Ramadan is about 30 percent higher than other months, which raises the consumer spending as markets and shops are currently experiencing a remarkable movement of customers buying Ramadan goods.

He emphasised the necessity of creating a budget for the holy month, picking the correct time to go shopping and concentrating on the food and necessities.

Economist Dr Yousuf Al Sayed said Qatari markets have increased their preparations for the holy month by stocking up enough goods and products to cover consumption, as well as by launching promotional offers from the month of Shaaban to entice customers to buy Ramadan basic needs with enough time to avoid last minutes’ rush.

He said, “In addition to numerous offers of many products at a low price, Qatar has a stock of all goods, and local national products are available at discounted prices through local producers and Qatari farms.”

He added that Qatar has provided an adequate supply of basic food commodities and products at all times, and it has worked according to a vision in which it has the resources and strategic plans that enable it to overcome any obstacles and prepare proactively for various circumstances based on in-depth studies of market conditions on an ongoing basis.

For his part, James Fynn, manager of one of the commercial firms in the country, emphasised the high demand for food commodities, as the consumption rate during Ramadan increases by 30 percent compared to other months.

He noted that this week saw an increase in the number of people turning out to purchase their food items and Ramadan supplies, as feasts, weddings and family gatherings are common during the holy month.

Fynn added that despite its rituals, spiritual seclusion and high religious dimensions, the blessed month does not stop the growth of the volume of consumer spending.

“It is challenging to many to keep to the budget set for this month because during this time there are sudden and unexpected requests that increase the rate of spending, whether due to family events or evening outings and increase in basic food needs, in addition to the spending on Eid supplies at the end of Ramadan. So, attempts to control expenses often fail,” he said.

He added, “The most demanded food items in Ramadan include flour, sugar, edible oils, rice, vegetables, pasta, milk, poultry products, fresh meat and bottled drinking water, while non-food items are most notably foil, detergents, facial wipes and other products that are increasingly consumed during the season.”

Proprietor of a collection of stores Munira Al Hashim outlined the ongoing coordination between her establishments and various governmental and private institutions throughout the year, not just during Ramadan, and emphasised the coordinated efforts to improve the welfare of the Qatari community, attend to their needs and always give the best.

Hashim added that during the holy month, she launched campaigns in cooperation with a group of leading brands that donate part of their sales revenues to needy families, and their customers will be able to donate directly at the payment boxes also for the benefit of the under privilege, as well as provide purchase vouchers for delivery to their beneficiaries.

Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Tawar Al Kuwari, first vice-president of Qatar Chamber, said in press statements that the initiatives of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, strict control by the competent authorities and the frenzied competition between centres and shops led to stable prices.

He added that the state support initiative carried out by the ministry is the appropriate mechanism for price stability, which reflected positively on the markets and allowed consumers to obtain food goods at reasonable prices.

He stressed that the local market is witnessing the availability of all types of food and non-food goods, and the coincidence of the Ministry of Commerce’s initiatives and their coverage of basic goods, reduced the consumer expenses during this month.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry provided a series of advice for consumers during the Holy Month of Ramadan to rationalise food consumption, including setting a shopping budget, creating a list of essential needs and sticking to it, avoiding the urge to buy unnecessary items, and picking the right time to shop, preferably outside of fasting hours because the desire to eat pushes the buyer to buy more than he needs.

With the start of the holy month, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced a number of initiatives on a list of discounted consumer goods, which includes more than 900 products, in coordination with about 20 malls, shops and major commercial outlets, and announced the initiative to double the share of rice, sugar, oil and evaporated milk for citizens benefiting from ration materials, for one time.

The ministry also announced the joint national initiative to encourage local production and support the prices of sheep meat for the Holy Month of Ramadan, in coordination with the Ministry of Municipality and Wadham food company, where it was agreed with Wadham to provide about 30,000 heads of local sheep to sell at discounted prices to citizens (two sheep per citizen).

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29/03/2023
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