Domestic Trade Minister Betsy Diaz made the remark when she submitted a report of her Ministry’s management before the 3rd Ordinary Session of the 10th Legislature of the National People’s Power Assembly (Parliament).
The minister indicated that the current situation with the family food basket generates dissatisfaction in the population, affects the economic and financial results of the enterprises, and requires a greater effort from workers to make the products in the markets more viable.
Diaz stressed the importance of finding solutions to guarantee the efficient distribution of products and fight disinformation.
She specified that the controlled sale of toiletries and cigarettes, selected products from chain stores, and other items by a local authorities’ decision would be maintained.
She added that pregnant women, vulnerable people, and underweight children are a priority in the delivery of donations.
Diaz explained that the Ministry’s work priorities aim to consolidate trade in the country, control the legality of all economic stockholders who carry out the sector’s activities, banking restructuring, use electronic payment in commercial operations, and promote science and innovation.
About the attention given to consumers in commerce, she explained that a survey showed the persistence of subjective problems related to the violation of warranty periods, the commercialization of expired products, and the non-implementation or denial of using electronic payment gateways.
She informed that 24,142 control actions had been conducted in all provinces by the end of May, in which more than 3,000 measures were applied, 1,118 establishments were closed, 509 business licenses were withdrawn, and 2,032 fines.
She pointed out that her Ministry pays special attention to six programs related to demographic dynamics and supervises compliance with the policies of the local subordination housing system and inventory management.
Diaz noted that the Ministry is promoting six foreign investment companies and announced that Cimex and Tiendas Caribe have managed to become partners in two joint ventures.
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