Egyptian Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Mohamed Abou Shady announced a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Interior to establish a collective, formal marketplace for street vendors.
(AFP Photo)
By Maha AbdelAzim
Egyptian Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Mohamed Abou Shady announced a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Interior to establish a collective, formal marketplace for street vendors, state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram reported.
Al Ahram added that Abou Shady stated that the new market was an effort to solve problems associated with street vendors without jeopardising their income or employment, a plan that would be more effective than forcibly shutting them down.
Abou Shady announced that creating such a healthy, competitive market would reduce arbitrary pricing and protect consumer interests.
Mahmoud Ziad, Spokesperson for the Supply and Internal Trade Ministry, explained the advantages of this approach.
Ziad said: “Establishing an official market for street vendors will entail licensing, which will formalise their trading activities and ensure they abide by legal regulations.”
He also added that this will reduce street congestion and the “disorder resulting from the existence of unlicensed street vendors”.
Ziad stated that the plan is still “in its early stage” and the first step is to find an appropriate location for the new market; its implementation is intended for all of Egypt, not only Cairo.
