Skopje, 16 December 2024 (MIA) - The number of products in the "New Year's Basket" is rising and has reached 1,036 by today, but the list is not exhausted. Over 90 producers and distributors are involved in the campaign and the products are already available to citizens in 38 market chains nationwide, said Minister of Economy and Labor Besar Durmishi on Monday.

"The 'New Year's Basket' that was launched yesterday will run through 15 January 2025. This measure will lower prices of certain food products, alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages. It has been made on the initiative of the business sector and does not come from the Government. They offered products at lower prices of at least ten percent. This measure directly helps improve the citizens' living standard in light of the New Year's holidays," Minister Durmishi told a press conference.

He said that products within the campaign are labeled in markets as "Se Grizhime! Pomalku Troshoci, Povekje za Tebe. (We Care! Fewer Expenses, More for You).

The price monitoring is carried out in line with the Law on Protection of Consumers and Law on Trade, and comparison is made with the lowest prices of the products over the past 30 days.

"I hope the number of products on the list will rise, so that we meet citizens' needs during the New Year's holidays. I urge companies to be consistent with the campaign they created themselves, and citizens can report irregularities to the State Market Inspectorate at hotline 191 and www.dpi.gov.mk," said Durmishi.

Asked about the measure's effect in reducing people's expenses, the Minister said this would be determined once 2024 ends, and seeing the data coming from the State Statistical Office and trade unions.

Deputy Minister of Economy and Labor Marjan Risteski said that if the measure proves to be good, the formula will be used in the future as well.

"If certain inconsistencies or evasions emerge, the Government can produce more rigorous measures. I believe the business sector will not let this happen because the idea for the measure was theirs. If successful, the measure will be implemented in the future, but if not, we will go back to the measures of price caps in order to protect citizens," said Risteski.

Information about the campaign, the list of products and companies involved, is available at www.mojakosnica.mk.

Photo: MIA