Businessmen of this country should refrain from manipulating the market, especially in the month of Ramadan.
Their businesses should focus on mass people’s comfort. Do not try to destabilize the market by stockpiling illegally.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi made this call at a discussion meeting organized by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection on the occasion of ‘World Consumer Rights Day-2023’ at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the capital on Wednesday.
Addressing the businessmen, he said, “There are many discounts in various festivals in different countries. They earn little. It is the opposite in our country. The month of Ramadan is ahead, you should also be a little moderate. Make a little profit.”
The Minister of Commerce said, “Due to the global situation, the price of several products in the country’s market is high. And in this crisis, some opportunistic traders are trying to destabilize the market by illegally stockpiling products.”
“I would like to say one thing to the businessmen, at least this month it is necessary to be a little moderate. Please do what is right. We can’t keep you under surveillance all day. Still we will try. I ask your conscience, do what is right for you,” he added.
He commented that the law and order forces of the country, including the Ministry of Commerce, must be strict to control this situation.
The Commerce Minister has also said to the buyers, not to get confused by flashy advertisements. Somewhere, if something is offered at a half rate, none should avail such an option.
Showing example the minister said, “Motorcycles have a manufacturing cost, people have to understand that. If the cost of a motorcycle is Tk 1 lakh and its selling price is Tk 1,20,000, how a person can offer such a product at half price? It is greedy to ensnare people. At the end of the day they will deceive people. You will not be attracted by flashy notifications.”
About Consumer Rights Day, he said, half of our work will be done if we can inform people about consumer rights. We have to make consumers aware of their rights. We all know this law was passed in 2009. In 2010, the Ministry of Commerce started working in this department. We are short on manpower. We are trying hard to reach out to people.
The discussion meeting was chaired by Commerce Ministry Senior Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh while Director General at Directorate of National Consumers’ Right Protection (DNCRP) AHM Shafiquzzaman, President of Consumer Association of Bangladesh Ghulam Rahman and others were present.
