Baitas: No governmental interest trumps that of protecting Moroccans' purchasing power

As the living cost crisis grows in Morocco ahead of Ramadan, Government Spokesperson Mustapha Baitas assured today that “the government’s primary interest is protecting Moroccans’ purchasing power.”

In a press briefing subsequent to the weekly Government Council, Baitas said that “no interest prevails over that of protecting purchasing power,” adding that the government has taken a number of measure to reduce the price of red meat, by “fulfilling customs duties to protect the national herd,” and suspending the performance of the value-added tax.

“Professionals have approved these two procedures, whose positive effects will reflect on the domestic market very soon,” said Baitas.

The official confirmed that “intervention to protect the citizen from the wave of price hikes is a governmental commitment, which was discussed at great length and was widely covered in its various dimensions and aspects,” while the monitoring committees continue their intensive tours in the various markets of the Kingdom.

Baitas renewed the executive’s reminder for “intensive operations and meetings that are currently taking place to monitor markets, using all legal and restraining capabilities against those who have been proven to have raised prices or manipulated them.”

“This does not mean that prices continue to rise, and the absurdity of high prices cannot continue,” affirmed the Minister.

The official explained the importance of direct reforms to the retail and distribution chains to which vegetables and other goods are subjected before they reach the markets and the final consumer, revealing in this regard that “a meeting will be held this Thursday evening in which all concerned sectors will participate.”

With regard to flaming tomato prices, Baitas revealed that “quantities cultivated remain more than last year in the same period, but the cold wave in Morocco contributed to raising prices.”