21458: Esser: Surge in prices for essential goods: the population is pushed to the limit (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

Agence Haïtienne de Presse

April 19, 2004

Surge in prices for essential goods: the population is pushed to the
limit


Port-au-Prince, April 19, 2004 -(AHP)- Prices for essential goods
continue to climb in Port-au-Prince.

In supermarkets and public markets the prices for some items have
more or less doubled, despite the stabilization of the gourde with
respect to the dollar.

This situation is starting to elicit protests from consumers who
complain that they are being deprived of all their purchasing power.

A sack of rice that cost 1,000 gourdes less than two months ago now
costs 1,400 gourdes ($1US = 40 gourdes).

Rice has never been so expensive, said a small retailer named
Roselaine, who added "we are condemned to die".

According to Roger, another small retailer, the situation, which was
already difficult, has become truly hellish these past two months.

The promise made by the interim Minister of Commerce to reduce the
prices of items of basic necessity within six months will have to
materialize considerably before that time, otherwise there will be
despair, she said.

Another vendor, Armide, said that the private sector, after having
spent large sums of money to fight the Anti-Aristide campaign now
must help ease the misery of the population rather than looking for
favors and compensation for damages.

The socio-economic situation is similar in the provinces,
particularly in Cap-Haïtien where the surge in the prices of basic
necessities is extreme.

Vendors and consumers say they are exasperated at this situation
which tends to deteriorate on a daily basis. The small retailers
said they can not sell their goods because of the tremendous increase
in prices.

In the country's Second City, the price of a sack of rice has
increased from 1,000 to 1,650 gourdes.

And the small shopkeepers must confront thieves who plunder the city.

"If the authorities don't do anything, we will have to expect an
increase in crimes and robberies", said one shopkeeper.

Many residents also complained that the large retailers in
Cap-Haitian have made a lot of money by bringing goods into the
country without paying any duty during the period when the rebels had
control of the customs offices.  
.