Govt. working to provide powdered milk at reduced rates

19 November 2007
Report: Jaxu

Trade Ministry has revealed that the government is working on finding ways to provide powdered milk at cheaper prices.

Trade Ministry’s Director General Usman Shakir said due to global increase in fuel prices, prices of consumer goods have raised especially those of food items placing a heavy burden on the average worker in providing sustenance to his family. He noted that prices of essential items such as powdered milk required for the young and aged alike have risen considerably and that the government has held discussions with those who import these products in effort to find a solution to this issue. Powdered milk in Maldives is commonly used as a substitute for dairy milk.

According to Usman, Trade Ministry and State Trading Organization, STO, is now evaluating the current price of powdered milk available at countries where they are imported. They are also researching on a minimum price at which the powdered milk can be sold.

Sources inform Ve;idhoo News that due to increased prices of consumer goods living standards have gone down and that many obstacles are faced in providing good and nutritious food to children. According to sources government is already too late in implementation of necessary steps to stop further increase in prices.

According to Usman Trade Ministry has been in negotiations, since last October, with various government agencies and merchants in an effort to bring the prices down. He noted that powdered milk is normally imported from Europe and that the price of powdered milk is now beyond the reach of average salary earner.