Saudi Shura Council Demands Development of Supervisory Tools to Monitor Commodity Prices

The Shura Council called for conducting a study to compare the prices of basic food items in the local market. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Shura Council called for conducting a study to compare the prices of basic food items in the local market. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Shura Council Demands Development of Supervisory Tools to Monitor Commodity Prices

The Shura Council called for conducting a study to compare the prices of basic food items in the local market. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Shura Council called for conducting a study to compare the prices of basic food items in the local market. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Shura Council has called on the Ministry of Commerce to cooperate with the relevant authorities, in order to develop the supervisory and procedural tools for monitoring commodity prices.

The Council called for conducting a study to compare the prices of basic food items in the local market and to develop procedural and technical mechanisms to include the “non-delivery of products” within the commercial violations.

In this regard, it underlined the necessity to develop the consumer protection sector, in a way that enables it to perform its supervisory role and preserve consumers’ rights.

During its 42nd regular session on Monday to study the annual report of the Ministry of Commerce, the Shura Council underlined the importance of coordinating with the competent authorities to find solutions for financial compensation in jobs that cannot be filled by national cadres in small and medium enterprises, as well as reviewing the Saudi regions’ competitive advantages in the business sector to adopt the appropriate mechanisms for their development.

The Council also discussed tightening control over the maintenance of roads, bridges, and tunnels, as well as ensuring quality and speed in the design and implementation of relevant projects, while accelerating the shift towards a digital system in the entire sector.

The Council has also called on the Saudi Space Authority to activate the memoranda of understanding with the Ministry of Education and a number of Saudi universities to expand the development of scientific specializations that serve the sector, and to study the launching of internal scholarships with possible employment to develop human capital.

The Council urged the concerned bodies to benefit from the experiences and infrastructure available in some relevant government agencies to integrate and unify efforts and achieve the strategic goals of the space sector in the Kingdom.



Egypt Quarterly Current Account Deficit Eases to $2.1 Billion on Higher Remittances

A man walks in front of the new headquarters of Central Bank of Egypt, in Cairo, Egypt, November 3, 2024. (Reuters)
A man walks in front of the new headquarters of Central Bank of Egypt, in Cairo, Egypt, November 3, 2024. (Reuters)
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Egypt Quarterly Current Account Deficit Eases to $2.1 Billion on Higher Remittances

A man walks in front of the new headquarters of Central Bank of Egypt, in Cairo, Egypt, November 3, 2024. (Reuters)
A man walks in front of the new headquarters of Central Bank of Egypt, in Cairo, Egypt, November 3, 2024. (Reuters)

Egypt's current account deficit narrowed to $2.1 billion in January to March 2025 from $7.5 billion in the same period a year earlier, the central bank said on Tuesday.

The central bank attributed the slimmer deficit to the increase in remittances from Egyptians working abroad, as well as a rise in the services surplus due to higher tourism revenue.

Oil exports declined to $1.2 billion, from $1.4 in the year earlier, while imports of oil products rose to $4.8 from $3.4 billion.

Egypt has sought to import more fuel oil and liquefied natural gas this year to meet its power demands after disruptions to gas supply led to blackouts over the last two years.

Concerns over supplies increased after the pipeline supply of natural gas from Israel to Egypt decreased during Israel’s air war with Iran last month.

Revenues from the Suez Canal, declined to $0.8 billion in the third quarter of the country’s financial year, from $1 billion the same time a year ago, as Yemeni Houthis' attacks on ships in the Red Sea continued to cause disruption.

The Iran-aligned group says it attacks ships linked to Israel in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s tourism revenues reached $3.8 billion, compared to $3.1 billion in the same period in 2023/24.

Remittances from Egyptians working abroad increased to $9.3 billion, from $5.1 billion. The increase in remittances has helped to reduce the wider trade deficit.

Foreign direct investment hit $3.8 billion, compared to $18.2 billion in the same quarter a year before.

Egypt has suffered an economic crisis exacerbated by a foreign currency shortage, which forced it to undergo economic reforms under an $8 billion IMF program that included allowing its pound to depreciate sharply last year.