Algiers – The Algerian Economic Renewal Council launched today, Thursday, its second consecutive year of the initiative to reduce prices on widely consumed goods during the month of Ramadan, covering more than 880 products. The initiative, titled “Economically National, Socially United,” was announced during a press conference led by the Council’s President, Kamel Mellahi, in the presence of the Minister of Internal Trade and Market Regulation, Tayeb Zitouni, and the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries, Youcef Chorfa, along with professional organizations and economic stakeholders.
President Mellahi explained that this initiative responds to the efforts of the Ministry of Internal Trade and Market Regulation to ensure ample supplies of basic consumer goods in the local market at affordable prices during Ramadan. He highlighted the “success achieved by this initiative last year.”
Mellahi noted that this year’s initiative sees an expansion in participation, involving a larger number of institutions, both those affiliated with the Council and others. He emphasized that the initiative aims to make Ramadan an opportunity to strengthen national solidarity and instill a sense of economic citizenship, turning such initiatives into sustained practices rather than one-off measures.
He stressed that “the commitment of these institutions should not be optional but a responsibility towards the citizen,” as these initiatives contribute to market stability, protect purchasing power, and ensure household comfort.
Minister Zitouni described the initiative as “voluntary” on the part of economic actors, demonstrating their “national economic commitment and solidarity with consumers by reducing prices on approximately 880 products.” He encouraged participation in neighborhood market programs, which have been progressively opened and now number around 600 nationwide, to ensure regular supply and regulation of the national market during Ramadan.
The Minister highlighted the authorities’ commitment to providing the necessary means to implement a coherent and consistent commercial policy. His department is working on drafting a set of regulatory texts to organize the national market and streamline value chains to “overcome shortages and fluctuations in certain products,” expected to be issued after Ramadan.
Minister Chorfa praised such initiatives aimed at protecting purchasing power and ensuring the abundance and competitiveness of various products. He noted that his department has been preparing for Ramadan for about four months, focusing on both quantity and quality of products, and called for increased collaboration among all stakeholders involved in the process.
On the sidelines of the press conference held at the Sonoport Exhibition Hall in Algiers, Minister Zitouni, Minister Chorfa, and the President of the Algerian Economic Renewal Council toured an exhibition showcasing products subject to price reductions, including food items, vegetables, fruits, meats, cleaning supplies, and home appliances.
Article written by Nor Eleslam for dzwatch.dz.
