Producers urged to lower their selling prices
The Internal Trade Department has called on some manufacturers to lower their selling prices, since the baht's appreciation has lowered their production costs.
Director-general Siripol Yodmuangcharoen yesterday said manufacturers that relied on imported raw materials should lower prices, because their costs had fallen almost 10 per cent. Chemical fertiliser, aluminium, steel and construction materials should all come down in price, he said. The department has already sent a letter to manufacturers of construction materials asking them to cut prices, because most of their raw materials were imported. Siripol said his department would ask for manufacturers' cooperation in helping consumers. The department will closely monitor prices this month. However, if manufacturers do not cooperate, the Commerce Ministry will ask to see accounts of their costs. The department will consider whether prices are fair to consumers, said Siripol, adding that manufacturers should conduct business based not only on personal benefit, but also on ethics. Additionally, the department said it would closely monitor prices if the current government cancels martial law, which prevents manufacturers from increasing prices. Thus far, 200 products are on the department's watch list and 26 on the ministry's priority watch list. Petchanet Pratruangkrai The Nation
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