We will be uncompromising with those who take advantage of the situation. This was said by the Minister of Economy and Industry Nikola Stojanov on the occasion of the results of the inspections carried out in the trade network.
A press conference was held today at the Council of Ministers with the participation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Hristo Alexiev, the Minister of Economy and Industry Nikola Stojanov and the Minister of Agriculture Yavor Gechev. The results of an analysis of the development of prices of basic food products were presented and information was provided on the actions currently taken by the institutions on the subject.
‘I have always declared my support for the protection of business, but unfair practices and unethical behaviour lead to unfair prices for the Bulgarian society,’ the economic minister stressed. In his words, there should be ethics and transparency in business.
He stressed that despite the decrease in the prices of energy resources, fuel, maintaining the toll rates, the prices of food are disproportionately high. Therefore, on the instructions of the Prime Minister, a unit has been formed with the participation of the competent state institutions to gather information on the real situation and what is the reason for the large price difference from producer/importer to seller.
He recalled that our commercial attachés already have the task to monitor the prices of more than 20 basic food products in seven European countries — Germany, Austria, France, Romania, Greece, Czech Republic, Croatia. ‘For me there is no logic for Bulgarian citizens to pay more expensive products in Bulgaria, given that in other countries both energy and fuel are more expensive,’ the economy minister said.
So far, our commercial attachés have visited more than 50 outlets abroad. Serious discrepancies in the prices of basic foodstuffs have been found — between 20 and 30%, and in some cases up to 40%. The data is to be compiled and made publicly available.
In the period from 15 February to 1 March a total of 471 inspections were carried out, during which 252 violations were detected, it became clear from the information provided by the Commission for Consumer Protection. Unfair commercial practices are suspected in 200 cases.
