(AFP Photo)
By Menna Zaki
Minister of Supply Khaled Hanafy announced that the ministry will cut prices of food commodities by 30% over the next three months, starting Monday, in response to rising goods prices. These goods include poultry, meat, vegetables and fruits, according to the statement issued by the Ministry of Supply on Sunday.
Hanafy said that the Ministry will coordinate with the armed forces to supply the consumer outlets with basic goods.
The Ministry spokesman could not be reached for information about the goods that the armed forces would provide.
Last month, the Ministry of Supply announced that it had assumed responsibility for supervising the Food Industries Holding Company (FIHC), adding in an official statement that the takeover will help address rising prices and “develop consumer complexes to offer discounted foods and necessary commodities.”
Hanafy also announced last month the launch of the smartcard subsidy system, which he said would provide high quality subsidised bread at five piastres a loaf.
Under the new system, he said, citizens will be provided a maximum of 150 loaves a month each, which will be counted as points, with lower consumption to be rewarded with points towards other commodities, such as milk, yoghurt, lentils and beans.
