EGP 100,000 Fine for Retailers Who Withhold Rice From Consumers

To prevent retailers from withholding rice from citizens - whether that is by concealing them, not offering them for sale, or any other method - the Egyptian cabinet has approved a draft decision that would treat rice as a strategic commodity.
Under this decision, anyone who possesses rice for commercial or otherwise non-personal purposes - including retailers, producers, suppliers and distributors - are obligated to report the kinds and quantities of rice to the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade, in order to ensure fair trade.
Failure to adhere to these consumer protection guidelines will result in up to one year of jail time, and a fine between EGP 100 thousand and EGP 2 million.