Beirut, December 3 (Prensa Latina) The Minister of Economy and Trade of the interim government of Lebanon, Amin Salam, reiterated the commitment to the livelihoods of the citizens and its ability to face the problems of the crisis today.
Referring to the new tariff dollar rate and price controls, the headline reinforced the study of regulations designed to guarantee that Lebanese consumers can buy their food, drink, medicines and basic commodities with a loss of 95 percent of their purchasing power.
The agency assured that the ministry set the new tariffs without worrying the Lebanese about access to food, noting that 70-75 percent of food would not be subject to the tariff dollar.
According to the official, Article 74 of the Budget Law 2022 provides for the imposition of a 10 percent duty for a period of five years on imported goods and commodities if an equivalent product is manufactured in Lebanon in sufficient quantity for local consumption.
Regarding qualifying luxury products, Salam said that monitoring the price difference will be the responsibility of the finance, industry and economy ministries.
On this subject, the manager assured that he would not sign additional levies on imported materials to relieve the consumer in the face of the economic collapse.
The economic chief stated that Lebanon imports 90 percent of what the population consumes; In this sense, he called on the local industry to ensure self-sufficiency in food security and to be present in the domestic market.
Salam insisted on the need to strengthen government finances “but not at the expense of citizens’ livelihoods or food security.”
The minister reiterated that there will be clear regulations for food and basic necessities for the benefit of citizens in the coming week.
The nation of cedars changed the tariff dollar to 15,000 Lebanese pounds this December 1, after decades in 1,500, a measure trying to fund the treasury despite warnings from specialists of its impact on purchasing power and slowing the economy.
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