ammonnews.net

Ammon News - Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Maha Ali Saturday briefed food importers and merchants on measures taken by the government last week to curb price rises of food staples in the local market amid soaring global shipping rates, Petra reported.

During a meeting with the Foodstuff Traders Association at the Amman Chamber of Commerce, the minister stressed the importance of maintaining the strategic food reserves to enhance food security, as a top government priority.

She urged the private sector to diversify imports from various origins, adding that the ministry will look into all proposals "in a manner to achieve the public interest and ensure price stability."

Ali also told the meeting that her ministry will coordinate with the relevant government agencies to speed up and simplify clearance procedures of imported foodstuffs in accordance with the health, safety and consumer protection standards and the requirements of the food and specifications and standards legislation, according to Petra.

For his part, Foodstuff Traders Association President Khalil Haj Tawfiq spoke of the need to exempt all kinds of imported foods from customs duties, taxes and fees, which currently range between 4 and 30 per cent, to help reduce import costs and stabilize prices.