Hand sanitiser and protective masks for sale at Olympic Market. Heng Chivoan
The Ministry of Commerce has called on shop owners and online sellers to maintain prices. It warned of legal action against opportunists profiteering from price increases when the Kingdom is at war with Covid-19.
It said there are some shop owners, online sellers and resellers that took the opportunity to increase the price of surgical masks, hand sanitisers, groceries, alcohol, thermometers, food and other daily essentials in Kingdom.
A March 27 statement from the ministry said it considered such action as contributing to serious social disorder.
The ministry said all shops and business owners must put price tags in Khmer riel on goods, with a focus on a free market mechanism and fair competition to support the Khmer currency.
“Surgical masks, hand sanitisers, groceries, alcohol and thermometers must be accompanied with a large price tags in riel which should be visible to the public from afar,” it said.
The ministry also expressed its belief that the public, shop owners and online sellers would follow its announcement, and show solidarity and unity.
However, it said it would cooperate with expert officers and authorities to investigate and check the quality, safety and prices of goods in line with the law if anyone attempts to profiteer from such essentials
An online mask seller who asked to remain anonymous told The Post that initially, the price of masks selling in the Kingdom was very reasonable. After the outbreak of the virus, the countries which supply masks increased the price.
The reason surgical masks are expensive is because they are expensive to import, he said.
“We do not want to increase prices but import costs are also expensive. I no longer sell masks now as the price is exorbitant and people cannot afford to buy them. Sometimes we ordered them from between $16 and $20 [per box] which means we only earn a small profit,” he said.
Acknowledging its high price, the online mask seller wants Cambodia to have its own mask factory to help maintain the price of masks. He also supports the measures to maintain the price in the marketplace.
A member of the public in the capital said: “There are measures, but whether they are followed or not is the question.
“The authorities should conduct investigations as opportunists are taking advantage. If the police crack down on them, it will have a domino effect and be a warning to others. If we do nothing, they would not care,” she said.
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