Skopje, 3 April 2023 (MIA) — Some food products were sold at markups as high as 250 percent, Minister of Economy Kreshnik Bekteshi said Monday inviting members of the business community to a televised debate to discuss why they thought the government's decision to freeze prices was not appropriate.

To help citizens amid the economic crisis, Minister Bekteshi said, the temporary price freeze may be extended through May as well.

Highlighting that the government's measures had been developed in consultation with the business sector, Bekteshi said the state was safeguarding the interest both of producers and of the public.

"These are administrative decisions," the economy minister said. "I am more than convinced that they are the right ones to take, both for the business sector and for consumers especially. As for some business sector representatives' statements, I invite them to discuss on television these figures."

"If they think that a markup of 150, 200 or 250 percent is acceptable in times of crisis," he said, "the government and the Ministry of Economy will not allow it."

Pointing out that the price freeze — on basic products including white bread, pasta, and dairy — was being enforced in over 95 percent of cases, he said consumer prices would see the biggest drop in April, as food and energy prices ease. mr/