Amman, October 3 (Petra) – Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, Yousef Qudah, affirmed safeguarding national food security, ensuring continuity of supply chains, and maintaining a secure reserve of essential commodities and food products are "top" government priorities, aimed at securing citizens' needs under all circumstances.

During a meeting with representatives of the Kingdom's food trade sector on Tuesday, Qudah called for bolstering "strategic" food reserves and ensuring sufficient availability in local markets, in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan, to meet citizens' needs and maintain price stability.

He underscored the significance of the public-private partnership in maintaining market stability and providing essential goods at reasonable and fair prices.

He further underlined the need for ongoing coordination with Jordan's chambers of commerce and private sector representatives to monitor regional and international developments and their impact on imports and shipping, as well as to address any obstacles that might impede smooth supply flow.

In turn, Wael Shqeirat, head of the interim committee of Jordan Chamber of Commerce, and Mohammad Abu Odeh, head of the interim committee for Amman Chamber of Commerce, urged continued cooperation and coordination with the ministry.

Shqeirat and Odeh called for streamlining import procedures and overcoming challenges facing traders, which would ensure a "steady" flow of food products, maintain market stability, and guarantee availability of goods for citizens.

Meanwhile, merchants outlined the primary challenges facing the sector, mainly rising importing and shipping costs.

They commended the ministry for its "responsiveness" to their concerns and its commitment to jointly consult to identify "feasible" solutions that facilitate sector operations, enhance competitiveness, and support the national economy.

//Petra/// AG