A. M. 
Courtesy
This wednesday began rigorous inspections in importing and marketing companies of products of the expanded basic food basket, agricultural inputs and raw materials. The purpose is to ensure that the exemption of import taxes translates into fair and affordable prices for salvadoran consumers, as provided by the Defensoría del Consumidor (DC).
The president of the Defensoría del Consumidor, Ricardo Salazar, headed the inspection at Diagri, S.A. de C.V., a company engaged in the importation and commercialization of agricultural inputs. This activity is part of a series of nationwide operations designed to verify prices and guarantee the supply of essential products, in compliance with the Special Law to Promote Competitiveness and Facilitate Access to Products of the Expanded Basic Food Basket.
In this regard, for this first phase of verification, storage warehouses are being inspected to verify that incoming products are free of tariffs. In addition, information is being requested on foreign purchases and domestic sales, as well as the verification of inventories and new prices of the basic food basket and agricultural inputs.
According to Salazar, these operational actions include information requirements in the main links of the food and consumer goods supply chain, in accordance with Legislative Decree 51. “We are carrying out exhaustive inspections to ensure that the benefits of the tax exoneration translate into accessible prices for all salvadorans”, he said.
The inspected suppliers have a period of ten working days to comply with the official requirements. The Defensoría del Consumidor will continue these verifications throughout the country to prevent and combat abusive practices such as unjustified price increases.
