Page 311 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025 Part 1

The ministry has stepped up efforts to regulate consumer protection and market stability ahead of
Ramadan, outlining a series of initiatives to ensure fair pricing, prevent market exploitation, and
maintain a steady supply of essential goods.
Sultan Ahmed Darwish, Director of the Commercial Control Department at the Ministry of
Economy, said, “The UAE has developed a robust system to ensure market fairness and price
stability, in line with global best practices.” He added, “By working closely with federal and local
authorities and private sector stakeholders, we continue to develop regulations that protect
consumers and ensure transparency in the marketplace.”

The government has undertaken several measures to reinforce consumer protection, including the
Federal Decree-Law No. 5 of 2023, which introduced significant amendments to the Consumer
Protection Law and its executive regulations.

The new framework strengthens oversight mechanisms and introduces over 43 obligations for
suppliers, ensuring a more balanced relationship between businesses and consumers while
preventing price manipulation.
No price rise for these products

One of the ministry’s key priorities is ensuring price stability on essential goods, particularly during
Ramadan, when consumer demand typically surges.

Under the new pricing policy, nine staple items—cooking oil, eggs, dairy products, rice, sugar,
poultry, legumes, bread, and wheat—cannot be subject to price increases without government
approval. While other products remain subject to market competition, the ministry has vowed to
monitor pricing closely to prevent unjustified spikes.

The ministry has also held over 60 meetings with major retailers and suppliers since early 2024,
urging them to adhere to updated pricing regulations and maintain supply chain stability. “Our
priority is ensuring that retailers and suppliers act responsibly, keeping essential goods affordable
and accessible,” Darwish said.
Platform for price monitoring

The ministry has launched the National Digital Platform for Price Monitoring as part of its regulatory
strategy. This real-time tracking system enables authorities to monitor price fluctuations on
essential goods across major supermarket chains and cooperative societies. This system allows
regulators to compare actual prices at various retail outlets, ensuring they remain within approved
limits and preventing retailers from exploiting market demand.

Additionally, the ministry has ramped up market inspections nationwide. In 2024 alone, officials
conducted 80,249 inspections, resulting in 8,388 recorded violations for price irregularities and
non-compliance.

Since January 2025, another 768 inspections have been carried out, with plans for an additional
420 inspections throughout Ramadan. “The goal is to eliminate price exploitation and ensure
businesses comply with fair pricing policies,” Darwish stated.

https://gulfnews.com/business/economy/ramadan-up-to-65-off-on-over-10000-grocery-items-
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