The state intends to reconsider the re-introduction of commodity reserves as a way to overcome disturbances in the market, said the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism Goran Đurović, during a meeting with representatives of the largest domestic trade chains in the country and the Chamber of Commerce, on the topic of the stability of the supply system of basic foodstuffs.
At the meeting, Đurović emphasized the commitment of the Government to cooperate with the economy in order to provide citizens with unhindered access to all essentials in times of serious disruptions in the market due to events in Ukraine, the Ministry announced.
The representatives of the trade chains announced that at the moment they have sufficient stocks of both basic foodstuffs and all other products important for citizens, especially during the tourist season, and that the procurement of most of them is carried out smoothly. They also pointed out certain problems and limitations along with ideas on how to solve them in the coming period.
"Due to the significant share of trade with the Republic of Serbia, and especially the export quotas recently introduced by that country, representatives of trade see the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Dritan Abazović to Belgrade as an important impetus for economic cooperation between the two countries," the statement added.
They expressed their readiness, as stated by the Ministry, to be a partner of the Government in the event of significant disruptions in the market in ensuring the continuous supply of citizens, the security of the domestic system, but also to make available part of their own capacities, in the form of minimal stocks, which the state could dispose of on demand.
"It was agreed that the two parties will intensify the meetings, continuously monitoring the prices and availability of basic foodstuffs, and a Memorandum of Cooperation is being prepared, which would formalize the partnership, on the one hand, with the Government, which takes care of the citizens and the economy, and with trading companies, on the other, as a socially responsible actor," the statement added.
The Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism reminds that, in order to respond to the current economic situation, that department has issued a public invitation for an independent consultant to prepare a comprehensive study on the justification of the re-formation of state commodity reserves, abolished in 2008 when the Law on intervention procurements.
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