Almaty to Implement Price Limit on Consumer Foods
In Almaty, city officials are moving forward with plans to establish a maximum price cap for certain socially significant goods. This action primarily affects essential food items, as reported by Almaty.tv's correspondent, citing information from the city's Department of Entrepreneurship and Investments.
Official monitoring has revealed that the prices for socially significant goods in large retail chains within the city remain stable. However, concerns regarding overpricing still persist among market vendors and small store retailers.
Monitoring specialists have found instances where vendors inflate prices on the spot. For example, cucumbers were recently being sold for 500 tenge per kilogram at a market, despite the price tag indicating a different price. Upon discovery, specialists promptly address the issue with the vendors and warn them of potential consequences.
Aibek Alisharipov, the chief specialist of the department for the development of entrepreneurship and industry of the Auezov district's apparatus of the akim, highlights the ongoing discussions regarding cereals such as buckwheat and rice. He notes the high procurement price for these items.
Vendors who hike prices often attribute their actions to increased wholesale prices from suppliers. However, monitoring specialists are prepared for such occurrences and maintain a list of reliable farmers. They also use mechanisms like preferential loans, allowing traders to access funds to maintain stable prices.
Karlygash Abdijabbarova, deputy head of the city's Department of Entrepreneurship and Investments, confirmed that prices remained stable for three months through this approach. They have also signed an additional agreement with the largest retail network to fix the prices for ten items until the end of the year.
City officials are continuously monitoring prices. During the pandemic, this process has been enhanced due to the need to prevent speculation during challenging times for the country.
Throughout the ongoing discussions, concerns about overpricing in the business sector, particularly in essential food items, have arisen. To address this issue, officials are considering potential solutions in finance, such as providing preferential loans to traders to maintain stable prices.
Maintaining stability in prices, whether in large retail chains or small market vendors, is a crucial aspect of the city's ongoing monitoring, especially in light of the pandemic.
