CAIRO: Egypt's Minister of Solidarity and Social Justice announced that Egypt will import subsidized rice to meet demand during the month of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. The Egyptian authority for supply commodities will launch tenders for buying rice from abroad because of the monopoly in Egyptian markets by merchants who refused to sell rice to the authority. Solidarity and Social Justice Minister Goda Abdel-Khaleq told youm7 that the rice crisis came as a result of the monopoly of the rice companies and rice smuggling through the ports. He added that Egypt will import rice if the monopoly process does not end. Meanwhile, the authority for supply commodities is preparing a plan that aims to provide rice for those who have ration cards during Ramadan. The plan will be proposed to Abdel-Khaleq for consideration. Moreover, the General Director for Investigation of Supply will launch a check campaign on rice shops and stores to end the monopoly that drives rising prices.
