Ammon News - President of the Jordanian Association for Restaurants and Sweets Shops Owners Omar Al Awad on Saturday alleged that a number of foodstuff traders and workers in the field of food manufacturing were involved in “monopolistic acts”, which led to increasing the prices of several commodities.

He also added that a number of major traders have allegedly asked their clients to cash cheques prior to the date they agreed on despite insufficient funds with the intention of being considered insolvent enabling them to benefit from the financial package offered by the Central Bank of Jordan.

They could then sell their inventory at high prices and pay for the cheques, unrightfully taking advantage of the preferential interest rates, he claimed.

Awad, in a statement reported by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, called on the Ministry of Finance to reconsider the measures related to offering loans for the most-affected sectors by the COVOD-19 pandemic, which are estimated at JD200 million at an interest rate of 2 per cent.