Prices will not rise in Ramadan: STO

State Trading Organisation (STO) has commenced work to prevent increase in prices of food products during Ramadan.

Managing Director Shahid Ali said that they will not allow an increase in prices this year.

“We are bringing in more food products in preparation for Ramadan. We are giving importance to onion, potato and eggs especially,” Shahid said.

He said that work is underway to have commodities on sale about 15 to 20 days before the start of Ramadan.

“We made the decision to start work early because that is the only way to have the commodities available the atolls in time, and to avoid an increase in prices,” Shahid said.

STO, which is owned by the state and the public, said that commodities will be brought in after assessment of how much is being brought in by other traders, to maintain demand at the same level.

Prices of food products, especially onion, potato and eggs rise in the market every Ramadan. This year Ramadan begins on 20 July.