Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif has called on anyone who can resolve the nationwide problem of price hikes to come forward with ideas, the official MENA news agency reported on Monday. According to Nazif, he was "worried" about price rises of food and building materials. The inflation rate reached 15.8 percent in March, he said in an interview with the ruling National Democratic Party's mouthpiece Al-Watani al-Youm, carried by MENA.
"Anyone who has a solution in this area is urged to come forward," Nazif was quoted as saying. The Egyptian PM said the government has taken measures to curb inflation including raising salaries, reducing customs and banning exports of staple commodities.
The Egyptian premier also said President Hosni Mubarak had asked that all Egyptians receive a 15 percent salary raise.
Egypt has been facing a wave of protests against skyrocketing prices in recent months. The price of cereals and bread has jumped by about 50 percent over the past year, according to official figures. The price of cooking oil rose by 45.2 percent while foodstuffs generally rose by an average of 23.5 percent.
© 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
