LOC23:31
20:31 GMT
El Tadamon and El Rahma market in Algiers
By Fatiha Zamamouch (with photos)
ALGIERS, July 11 (KUNA) -- As an initiative to mark the holy Muslim month
of Ramadan, the Algerian government has launched markets across the country
that offer foods and basic commodities at "reasonable prices".
'El Tadamon and El Rahma', two words that mean unity and compassion in the
Arabic language, are the name chosen for the markets that will be distributed
throughout 20 of the country's districts.
"The move is aimed at supporting the purchasing power of (Algerian)
nationals," labour union chief Abdelmajid Sidi El Said told reporters as he
attended the opening of one of these markets at the capital, Algiers on
Thursday.
It has also been backed by local state authorities and enterprises of
varied size.
The markets are due to include over 200 businesses, from street vendors to
established state-owned businesses, who will be obliged to decrease their
prices by the government, said the chief the union, whom have been put in
charge of the initiative.
The move will be welcomed by the public as traders use the festive month,
known for large purchases of food, to manipulate prices, added El Said.
El Said went on to note to specific foods that are a source of this
manipulation, namely "meats, butter, cheeses, sugar, coffee, cooking oil and
vegetables." (end)
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