Speaking on a programme on Raajje TV, Deputy Mayor Mr Shamaau Shareef stated that due to the inflation of agricultural goods, temporary markets are to be set up in an effort to reduce the prices of these products.
According to Mr Shamaau, work is underway at the West Park area and in Villimale’ along with plans for a third market to be opened at the Male’ North harbour area. In addition to this, he further stated that the city council will try to enforce and control the inflation and pricing of the goods to their level best within the confines of the law such as encouraging private citizens to setup temporary markets in open spaces as well.
He stated that in the coming week prices are expected to settle down and be under control further stating that the skyrocketing of prices were due to the fact that most local farmers use third-party sellers to sell their products in the capital and elsewhere.
It has been an ongoing trend in the Maldivian economy to have inflation in conjunction with the holy month of Ramadan every year and is a problem that is hardly addressed or have preventive plans.