In the NewsROC Cabinet to ensure stable Lunar New Year prices The Council of Agriculture has made spot checks in traditional markets in Taipei City and New Taipei City since Jan. 8 to ensure stable prices of agricultural products. (CNA)
The ROC Cabinet will continue to keep a close eye on the prices of goods and services to ensure that the rights of consumers are protected during the upcoming holiday season, Vice Premier Sean Chen said Jan. 18. The Council of Agriculture has been conducting spot checks at traditional markets in Taipei City and New Taipei City since Jan. 8 to ensure that the supply of fish, poultry, vegetables and other agricultural products remains steady, according to Chen. “As the price of agricultural products often surges before the Lunar New Year because of an increase in demand, the COA will continue to monitor traditional markets until Lunar New Year’s Eve, which falls on Jan. 22 this year,” he said. Officials from the Fair Trade Commission will also visit car washes, barbershops and laundry stores in various locales to identify any attempts at price fixing, according to Chen. . “All departments and agencies must work together to ensure price stability so that our citizens can celebrate the most important festival of the year joyfully,” Chen said. He added that state-run CPC Corp., the nation’s largest petroleum company, has promised not to increase gasoline and diesel prices before Jan. 30. The Ministry of Economic Affairs will monitor wholesale prices, while the Consumer Protection Commission will provide information on prices at Taiwan’s six major grocery store chains, Chen added. According to the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, Taiwan’s consumer price index saw a moderate year-on-year increase of 2.03 percent in December. (HZW) Write to Aaron Hsu at pj1210meister@mail.gio.gov.tw
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