Baladi News – Damascus (Ibrahim Ramadan)
In the absence of any steps by Assad’s regime to deal with the problem, media sources quoted an official at the Ministry of Interior that “the prices of some basic materials increased by more than 20%,” whereas other sources indicated that the rise of the prices of the already expensive materials exceeds 40%.
According to the official, the prices of dairy products and dates rose by 15%, whereas poultry increased by 20% due to the increase of red meat that reached 8,000 Syrian pounds. He attributed the high prices to the weak capabilities and increased demand in Ramadan.
Sayf al-Shami, a media activist from Damascus, informed Baladi News that “big traders are the tool used by the regime against civilians,” explaining that “they are granted facilities by the regime in return for big royalties paid to intelligence officers.”
Al-Shami added that the prices in the local market are rising automatically and without any justification. He emphasized that “the regime will not fight this phenomenon because it is the biggest beneficiary and in order to appear as the only guarantor of economic stability and keep people busy trying to make a living.”