Incentives offered to ensure availability of basic commodities in Oman

Muscat: The second joint meeting between several competent departments on providing basic commodities in the local markets was held at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion on Sunday.

The meeting discussed many issues of priority pertaining to the food security sector. It reviewed the developments and the availability of basic commodities in the markets of the Sultanate of Oman, like wheat, rice and vegetable oils. The meeting also took note of the mechanisms set to ensure price stability and the availability of all foodstuffs and consumer commodities in all markets of Oman's governorates.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Saud Hamoud Al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, in the presence of Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Ahmed Nassir Al Bakri, Undersecretary for Agriculture, Salayum Ali Al Hakmani, Chairman of the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) and Dr. Saleh Said Masan, Undersecretary for Commerce and Industry.

During the meeting, a package of incentives was announced to boost the food reserve in the local markets, including the provision of free food reserve stores for a number of foodstuffs imported directly from a number of target markets, as well as facilitating the import of these commodities through Omani ports.

The conferees affirmed the availability of all basic commodities and the stability of their prices during the holy month of Ramadan. The departments concerned, each according to its prerogatives, will ensure the availability and stability of the prices of basic commodities.