Government to counter surges in consumer prices

The Cabinet of Ministers meeting chaired by Prime Minister Arthur Rasizade underscored that the latest observations in local markets confirmed that the prices have gone up.
Rasizade said the current situation raises concerns of the government as well as the population, particularly low-income people, who have low purchasing power. However, the government is unable to fully control the prices in the conditions of free competition, he said.

The premier said that the price increase entails both objective and subjective reasons – the increasing income of the population and better living conditions on one hand and other complex processes on the other.

"Those producing agricultural goods in the countryside are unable to sell them, as the markets are monopolized by certain persons who deny producers access. The latter are then forced to sell their goods either at their doorstep or at the entrance of markets," Rasizadae said.

According to AssA-Irada, the Presidential Chief-of-Staff Ramiz Mehdiyev conveyed President Ilham Aliyev's instructions to officials saying that the Cabinet and President's Office should influence the market to prevent price surges. He said the meeting was the first step to address the problem that will be followed by systematic implementation of a relevant action plan.

Mehdiyev expressed disappointment that the issue is not properly addressed in the capital Baku and the regions and called on district mayors to work hard in this area.

/AzerNEWS/