Minister denies market monopolies

Trade and Services Minister Predrag Bubalo presented his ministry’s accomplishments in the government’s first 100 days.

Izvor: B92

Tuesday, 11.09.2007.

10:52

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Trade and Services Minister Predrag Bubalo presented his ministry’s accomplishments in the government’s first 100 days. Bubalo (DSS) believes that the recent hike in the prices of groceries was a result of the drought, and that food products in Serbia are still "the cheapest in the region." Minister denies market monopolies The minister claims that there are no dominant monopolies in Serbia, and that that issue should be looked into by the competition commission. In the new government’s first one hundred days in office, the ministry claims to have continued liberalizing trade, strengthened trade in the market sector and reduced the grey economy. Bubalo devoted particular attention to the services sector and consumer protection. "Last year, when prices fell, no-one mentioned monopolies, but now everyone’s making a big fuss about it. Everyone started talking about monopolies when prices began to go up, as if burying their heads in the sand and not taking into account the fact that prices throughout the region had also risen." "It’s been a hard year, there has been a drought, there was a poor harvest, and everyone's started talking about monopolies." Bubalo feels that, compared to other countries in the region, the prices of bread and oil are lowest in Serbia. He confirmed that margins in Serbia were a bit higher, but that the Trade Ministry could not do anything about that. "Where they go and to whom, I don’t know, but we can’t liberalize trade, and at the same time, cap margins." In the fight against illegal street sellers, market inspectors have, in the last 100 days, seized goods to the value of over RSD 1mn. The Trade and Services Ministry has prepared changes and amendments to the Law on Competition, Consumer Protection and Product Safety.

Minister denies market monopolies

The minister claims that there are no dominant monopolies in Serbia, and that that issue should be looked into by the competition commission.

In the new government’s first one hundred days in office, the ministry claims to have continued liberalizing trade, strengthened trade in the market sector and reduced the grey economy.

Bubalo devoted particular attention to the services sector and consumer protection.

"Last year, when prices fell, no-one mentioned monopolies, but now everyone’s making a big fuss about it. Everyone started talking about monopolies when prices began to go up, as if burying their heads in the sand and not taking into account the fact that prices throughout the region had also risen."

"It’s been a hard year, there has been a drought, there was a poor harvest, and everyone's started talking about monopolies."

Bubalo feels that, compared to other countries in the region, the prices of bread and oil are lowest in Serbia. He confirmed that margins in Serbia were a bit higher, but that the Trade Ministry could not do anything about that.

"Where they go and to whom, I don’t know, but we can’t liberalize trade, and at the same time, cap margins."

In the fight against illegal street sellers, market inspectors have, in the last 100 days, seized goods to the value of over RSD 1mn.

The Trade and Services Ministry has prepared changes and amendments to the Law on Competition, Consumer Protection and Product Safety.

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