Compass – Amman

Most of the governorates of Jordan witnessed, with the month of Ramadan entering its last days, a noticeable crowding in the streets and overcrowding in the markets, in the context of preparations for Eid Al-Fitr, amid citizens’ assertion that the goods are available and acceptable, but the economic situation prevents them from purchasing them.

An active movement was monitored in its streets and inside the shops, for citizens to buy clothes, shoes and Eid sweets, despite the disappointment that swept the Jordanians after the Jordanian Association of Banks denied the news of “delaying bank loans” for the month of April.

The head of the Clothing and Shoe Merchants Syndicate, Sultan Allan, said, “According to what we observed after the middle of Ramadan, the commercial movement began with an upward curve, and the opinions of merchants indicated that the movement was between medium and good.”

He added, in press statements, “The most important week for this sector is the last of Ramadan, and we expect the movement to increase significantly.”

And he added, “There is a diversity of clothes and shoes in terms of the country of origin, and the prices are stable and within everyone’s reach.”

Also read: Postponement of installments.. “Banks” disappoint the Jordanians, and a parliamentary memorandum confuses the scene

And Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al-Safadi said last Wednesday that the parliament adopted a parliamentary memorandum adopted by Representative Khalil Attia and signed by more than 40 deputies to demand the postponement of loan installments for the current month of April.

The text of the memorandum stated, “We, the undersigned deputies, demand the government to direct the postponement of loan installments for the month of April and oblige them to postpone the installments without charging the borrowers any additional interest, especially after missing the opportunity to postpone the installment of the blessed month of Ramadan, and that the economic conditions are difficult and the citizens do not find any liquidity to pay their needs and the economic sectors are demanding This is done in order to provide sufficient liquidity for citizens, which encourages an increase in aggregate demand, stimulating market movement, and improving economic performance in general.

Allan said in a tweet to him on his Facebook page: “When an entire people is waiting for a decision to postpone loans for a single month, and their hopes and aspirations are related to a patchwork solution… I know that we are not okay, when we use usurious methods to treat a temporary concern and we grieve over its non-fulfillment… I know that we are not okay.” .

He added, “When there are no real solutions such as reducing taxes, including the sales tax, raising wages, and addressing the imbalance in rents and energy bills… I know that we are not okay.”

Supply is more than demand

Bilal Al-Shouha, 41, a clothing merchant in the city center of Irbid, explained to Anadolu Agency, “The movement so far is weak, due to people’s lack of cash, and the supply is more than required.”

And he continued, “On holidays, the movement is greater, and the prices are suitable for the consumer and the merchant, and the majority of the goods are Turkish and Chinese.”

While Muhammad Abu Libdeh (29 years old), a customer in one of the shops, during his interview with Anadolu Agency, said that “the prices are appropriate, but there are no liras (money), and the movement in the streets, but the shops are empty.”

In an attempt to revive the markets, a government source said that it is expected that the salaries of workers in the public sector and retirees for the month of April will be disbursed, and may most likely take place tomorrow, according to Arabi 21.

Hassan Daraiseh (47 years), a merchant and a member of the Chamber of Commerce in the city of Ramtha (north), described the commercial activity for this year as “somewhat moderate in light of the economic conditions the Kingdom is witnessing.”

And he continued in his interview with Anadolu Agency: “There are five days left until the feast, and in general the movement is active during the last ten days of Ramadan, and we hope that it will increase.”

He stated, “The prices are affordable for everyone, and the level of goods is good, most of which are from Turkey, and the profit margin is small, so we try to increase sales and compensate for the shortfall in market movement.”

Muhammad al-Radaida (42 years old), another customer in a shop, who was accompanied by his wife and young child, told Anadolu Agency that “the commercial movement is good and there is a demand, but it is weaker than in previous years,” referring to “the weak purchasing power of citizens.”

The poverty rate in Jordan has increased significantly over the past ten years, due to high prices, lack of job opportunities created in the economy, and a decline in employment in the government apparatus.

There are no updated government rates of poverty due to the failure to announce the results of the latest surveys conducted years ago, but it is expected that they will exceed 18% at least.

According to the figures of the Central Bank of Jordan, the indebtedness of individuals with banks until last year amounted to 11.8 billion dinars (16.64 billion dollars), and the number of individual borrowers from banks reached about 1.17 million borrowers.