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Ammon News - Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Al Khasawneh on Monday stressed that the government will take action, according to law, against “a small and limited group of people” attempting to raise prices or monopolise the local market, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Chairing a meeting at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply, Khasawneh said that the private sector is “an essential and national partner”, praising its “great role” during the coronavirus pandemic.

He noted that the private sector, for the most part, has “prioritised national interests over profit, and embodied the spirit of national responsibility in addressing the coronavirus crisis”.

Stressing that the government will work in “the same spirit of partnership” with various sectors to alleviate the severity of the current conditions, the PM referred to the Russia-Ukraine crisis in specific and the global crisis in general.

As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, the government has a duty to control prices, secure goods at fair prices, and meet their needs, he said.

The PM said that the month of Ramadan this year coincides with the start of the recovery phase from the coronavirus pandemic, due to which the national economy has incurred additional burdens and the Treasury has been deprived of much revenue.

He reiterated that “the private sector was and still is an essential partner in bearing these burdens”.

The government prioritised health during the pandemic over all other considerations, and worked to double the capacity of hospitals, the premier said.

The government worked to support the sectors by implementing a number of mitigating measures and customs reforms, and increasing the strategic stock of basic commodities, Khasawneh said.

In this regard, he referred to the tireless efforts of His Majesty King Abdullah in securing a safe strategic food stock of basic commodities and materials, and storing them through containers and silos.

There are “no concerns” over the strategic stock and the available quantities of goods, he added, pointing out that the Kingdom's stock of wheat is sufficient for 14 months and of barley for 9 months.

He referred to the repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, which affected supply chains, oil prices and the movement of exports, stressing that the government would work in partnership with the private sector to mitigate the impact of these circumstances.

The prime minister referred to the Karamah Battle, honouring the sacrifices of Jordanian martyrs.

He also greeted Jordanian mothers on the occasion of Mother's Day, stressing that mothers are the support in all walks of life, and empowering Jordanian women in the political, economic and social fields is a duty that the government is committed to.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yousef Al Shamali highlighted the measures undertaken by the ministry to strengthen partnership with the private sector, achieve market control, and detect cases of increase in commodity prices.

The meeting was attended by the ministers of Transport, Agriculture, Interior and State for Media Affairs, and a number of officials from relevant departments and institutions.