DUBAI 4 April 2020: Dubai Economy has reiterated that the stock of food and non-food commodities across outlets in Dubai is sufficient to meet the requirements of residents in the near to longer term. Union Coop, which has one of the largest foods and non-food warehouses and storage space in the Middle East exceeding 424,442 square-foot and equipped with modern technology, alone has a stock worth more than AED 500 million to face the present situation.
Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, CEO of the Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection, CCCP, sector in Dubai Economy, said: “We have many unsung heroes working day and night to ensure that residents continue to get their daily needs of food and other requirements, and adequate stocks of these goods are available to balance demand and supply. The efforts of these people need to be recognized, and we thank them for their dedication to the community. We extend our sincere gratitude to the management of Union Coop for its contributions to the strength and sustainability of the national economy as well as for its unwavering commitment to the well-being of the nation, which shines above financial concerns and profitability.”
Lootah added: “Union Coop plays a vital role in regulating and stabilising the market, particularly retailing, which makes it an essential pillar in the nation’s food security, and its work mechanism and pioneering experience contribute to the momentum of economic growth.”
Dr Suhail Al-Bastaki, Director of Happiness & Marketing at Union Coop, said: “We intend to open our branches in Al Warqa and Al Barsha South 1 as quickly as possible so that we may be able to increase our total inventory by 30 percent. Our showrooms contain more than 69,000 varieties of foods and non-food commodities. This adds to our confidence in meeting the needs of the society. We are keen to enhance our stock as we are approaching the Holy Month of Ramadan and we have signed contracts worth Dh400 million to provide all the goods needed by the UAE community at competitive prices.”
No shortage of any kind: Ministry of Economy
Local markets do not face any shortage of consumer and non-consumer commodities, especially the basic essentials, the Ministry of Economy has affirmed.
Control and monitoring of prices of consumer commodities is a priority for its market monitors, the ministry said in a statement on Friday.
The ministry is coordinating daily with the concerned local departments and bodies as well as suppliers and sale outlets to ensure smooth flow of commodities to the markets and prices control, the statement added, noting that a kilogramme of Indian onion had dropped 50 percent at suppliers to AED2.
”Coordination has been discussed on an urgent basis between foreign suppliers and partners to increase imports of onion and vegetables in general.” Necessary measures had been taken to ensure the availability of diverse commodities, said Dr. Hashim Al Nuaimi, Director of Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry.
The ministry is holding regular meetings with suppliers and merchants and outlets to coordinate the supply of commodities and is paying field visits to storehouses to check the availability of items, he added.
Praising the cooperatives for replenishing the stock of staples, he said that the capacity in the cooperatives’ storehouses had reached 80 percent and it was expected to increase to 100 percent before the Holy Month of Ramadan.
The ministry, in coordination with local authorities, is conducting daily inspection tours to markets to check prices. A mystery shopper monitors prices and looks into complaints submitted by shoppers and reports price manipulation.
Dr. Al Nuaimi stressed the important role of consumers in reporting any unjustifiable price hikes.
”We have resolved to deal with complaints and take the appropriate action,” he affirmed.
