Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has urged the public to remain patient, noting that inflation has officially decreased to 1%.
He made these remarks while responding to journalists' questions after a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Public Procurement at the Secretariat on Wednesday (October 9).
When asked about the high prices of goods in the market, Salehuddin acknowledged the concerns but emphasized that the government has already taken measures to ease the situation.
"We have identified the main causes of inflation. It will take some time to fully bring it down. We've made decisions, including reducing the duty on oil and sugar, which should offer some relief soon," he said.
He also assured the public that there will be no shortage of essential items. "We have approved the purchase of lentils and imports of LNG and agricultural fertilizers. These steps will help stabilize prices, and you will experience some relief," Salehuddin added.
Inflation eases, but patience needed
When pressed by journalists on when consumers can expect tangible relief, the finance adviser iterated, "You will get relief—just don't be impatient. Inflation is a complex issue with many contributing factors. It's not something that increased suddenly, and it will take time to manage."
Salehuddin highlighted factors like market dynamics and product marketing as challenges in addressing price hikes. "Even if products are being produced, their marketing plays a key role. Changes in the market, including new players replacing older ones, are also affecting things."
On the question of controlling market irregularities, including extortion, Salehuddin stated, "Extortion has decreased, but it's still an issue in some areas."
When asked specifically about when the price of eggs might decrease, Salehuddin did not provide a direct answer.