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VEND. 17, SAM.18 ET DIM. 19 FÉVRIER 2023 - N°6456 NE PEUT ÊTRE VENDU SÉPARÉMENT DÉPÔT LÉGAL 100/1991 DIRECTEUR DE PUBLICATION KHALID BELYAZID
Weekly highlights by

version 2015

Système de Management de la Qualité
certifié ISO 9001 version 2008 par
BUREAU VERITAS MAROC

Prices hikes foster “Fact-

checking”
to tackle

“fake
discontent news”

Bad times for Moroccan

banks in Europe

Despite the shocks, the eco-
nomy is holding up well

Labor

market:
Wage
employ-

ment is
dominant

Editorial «Fool’s Bargains» Meriem OUDGHIRI

T HE story of the soaring prices of vegetables and meat, in particular, simplistic to look to low purchasing power and illiteracy to justify fraud
challenges us in more ways than one. For years, free pricing has and abuse and allow “anyone to do anything”. In this situation, we are all
been the rule and administrative supervision the exception. The concerned, whatever our position. The grocer who sells his merchandise
fundamental legal principle is free competition. This principle is based is a consumer. Whoever will be in charge of inspecting the grocer is also
on loyalty and transparency in economic relations. This principle also a consumer. Just as is the case for the Government, companies and other
presupposes the existence of mechanisms for prevention and protection merchants must realize that they are indebted to their consumers. In the
against abusive, restrictive, and discriminatory practices. So much for the face of this situation, rigorous long-term checks, locked-in regulatory
course of theoretical law. On the ground, this price “issue” revealed, once mechanisms, and other measures are needed. Without responsible consu-
again, the flaws and dysfunctions of the various chains. Blitz operations mers, any administration however committed it may be, any defense NGO
are useless. Once gone, bad habits eventually return at a gallop. Was it however militant it may be, and all the finest laws and regulations may
necessary to wait for the mind-blowing soaring prices and the discontent not lead to a concrete result. Time has really come to clean up and put an
among the people in the street to take place before reacting? It is also too end to all these ‘‘fool’s bargains’’. o