Fish prices have been rising steadily for the past month by nearly 20% at Umm Slal Central Market, prompting consumers to demand stricter control on prices, local Arabic daily Arrayah reported yesterday.
While consumers accuse fish vendors of manipulating prices, the latter claim it is only a matter of supply and demand and the market is governed by the amount of supply compared to the demand.
They assert they only charge a reasonable profit margin enough to cover their daily expenses, especially when the prices of fish are already high. Recently hamour was sold at QR75 per kg, safi at QR35, king fish QR60 and Zubaidi QR30.
Abdullah al-Yazidi, a customer, said that usually fish prices are closely linked to the status of the sea and the conditions of the weather. He stressed that the consumer protection department should excise tighter control on the market and the entity concerned should also conduct daily inspection to save customers from any unjustified price hikes.
Nasser al-Shemari, another customer, pointed out that prices of fish at the market have been steadily rising since last month. He said that a kilo of king fish has touched QR60 compared to QR40 a month ago and may even rise more. In addition, prices for the same type and quality differ from one stall to the other at the same market.
Nidal al-Ali, also a customer, said some types of fish are reasonably priced while some others have very high prices due to huge demand of customers.

Advisory Council financial affairs panel holds meeting
QNA/Doha

The Financial and Economic Affairs Committee of the Advisory Council held a meeting yesterday within the 46th ordinary session under the chairmanship of its Rapporteur Ali bin Abdullatif al-Misnad al-Mohannadi.
During the meeting, the committee discussed a draft law on supporting the competitiveness of national products and on combating harmful practices against it in international trade.
It also discussed a request of a general discussion on the achievement of the National Food Security Programme.
The committee then decided to submit its recommendations thereon to the Council.

Iranian FM meets Qatari ambassador
QNA/Teheran

Foreign Minister of Iran Mohamed Javad Zarif has met Qatar’s outgoing ambassador to Iran Ali bin Hamad al-Sulaiti.
The Iranian foreign minister wished the Qatari ambassador success in his future duties.
For his part, the ambassador thanked the Iranian foreign minister for the hospitality accorded to him during his tenure in the country.
Talks during the meeting covered the bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them, as well as issues of mutual concern.

Real estate transactions
The volume of real estate transactions in the sales contracts registered with the Department of Real Estate Registration at the Ministry of Justice from 10 to 12 June amounted to QR294,255,082.
The department’s weekly report said that the trading included empty lands, residential units, tower, palace, residential buildings, empty multipurpose lands and a commercial building.
Most of the trading took place in Doha, Al Daayen, Al Rayyan, Umm Salal, Al Khor, Al Thakhira, Al Wakrah and Al Shamal.