Yemeni economic corporation caters for providing flour and wheat [Archives:2007/1077/Local News]
By: Ismail Al-Ghabri
Sana'a, Aug, 15 ) The Yemeni Economic Corporation catered for providing flour and wheat in all the Republic governorates. The General Manager of the corporation, brigadier Ali AL-Kuhlani said that the corporation along with its branches will provide the consumers with their needs of flour and wheat via direct selling centers distributed in all the governorates of the Republic.
Al-Kuhlani also said that strict measures will be taken against any employee who manipulates and goes against the rules. Further, he will be referred to Prosecution.
Likewise, Mahfoudh Shamakh, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, pinpointed that the decision of the government is courageous and is in need of reviewing. Further, he indicated that the decision came amid accusations of tradesmen, importers, retailers, and government over the wheat issue. The burning question is who is responsible for what is going on within such accusations? We find that the opinions contradict each other. Mahfoudh went on to say that importers do not increase the prices.
He also declared that the importers sell one bag of wheat at YR 2500.However; some people purchase it and sell it at 3000 at the same moment. He mentioned what the President had said regarding some food suppliers' increase of the foodstuff prices while they are piled up in their stores.
Shamakh maintained that the mistake lies in the trading style, which is the policy of starvation, especially, when the stored wheat bags are sold with new prices.
He also affirmed that the government has faults because it did not establish mills to store for wholesale and retail tradesmen. So, they can get reasonable gains, emphasizing the importance of selling at retail in all areas.
These statements came after what Al-Habari, the famous businessman, said in press releases in which he accused some tradesmen of being accountable for these price hikes as well as monopolizing wheat import. Al-Habari also went on to say that the price hikes taking place in the Yemeni markets have no relations with the international price hikes.
In his statement, according to September net, Al-Habari stated that there are some tradesmen who have great quantities of wheat stored in mills since before prices go up. These stored quantities are now sold at the new prices, indicating the avarice and greed of those tradesmen.
Worth-mentioning, the prices of wheat progressively increase since the presidential elections run in September last year. The price of one bag with capacity of 50kg reached at YR5000 while the quotation listed in the state-run press is YR 4000.
However, the president criticized the government for being unable to stabilize prices of wheat and flour, approving a new operation to generate electricity and to provide job opportunities for unemployed people. The operation was valued at two US$ billions. He granted the Economic Corporation with additional amounts valued at YR three billions to purchase and import wheat to face demand of this primary foodstuff.
Worth-noting, the monthly consumption of wheat in Yemen reaches 200,000 ton. However, 94million ton is consumed annually.
The reports of Arab Union for Food Industries indicate that the annual consumption of Arab region is one hundred million ton of cereals, of which 50million ton is wheat. One billion loaves is eaten daily. And, the value of importing wheat reaches US$ 5 billion annually.
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