Skopje, 5 March 2024 (MIA) - Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi urged Tuesday the MPs to adopt law banning unfair trade practices as he believed that only through this institutional measure, the aim is to tackle the issue of potential price hikes that are not market-driven.

In a media statement following the NATO Industry Day event, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the State Market Inspectorate continues to step up price controls on the ground every day.

"In the event of price hikes on certain products, particularly if organised, we will promptly inform the public upon receiving the report," he stated.

In relation to the Commission for Protection of Competition, he disclosed that there's already one filed complaint and anticipates that the new composition of the commission will accelerate the process. "If any organized price hikes are detected, they aim to promptly intervene to prevent them," he added.

Bytyqi urged the MPs to adopt the draft law banning unfair trade practices, which is being discussed in the committee at the Parliament today.

The draft law is also needed to be adopted by the Legislative Committee before being debated by the MPs during a plenary session.

The adoption of the draft law is expected to yield positive effects in the business operations of all stakeholders (buyers and suppliers) involved in the agriculture and food supply chain. Authorities anticipate putting an end to unfair competition in trade, with expectations that this law will lead to a decrease in prices of food products.

Photo: MIA archive