The government will soon move ahead with setting maximum profit margins on construction materials, with a view to protecting consumers, preserving the economic order and contributing to the country's socio-economic development.

Among the materials to be covered by this definition are cement, iron, zinc sheet and other types of products in the construction sector's value chain, which in recent years have seen a big difference in prices in various parts of the country.

The information was given yesterday in Maputo by the National Director of Internal Trade at the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIC), Zulmira Macamo, at the end of a meeting to take stock of the recently ended festive season.

To this end, harmonization of the instruments needed to adopt the measure is currently underway, and efforts are also being made to consult with the private sector and other government institutions.

"This is an effort to allow building materials to also be incorporated into the regulations for setting maximum profit margins for basic products, which are currently in force," said Zulmira Macamo, quoted by the newspaper Notícias.

According to Zulmira Macamo, the measure will ensure that consumers are not affected by a situation in which their purchasing power is eroded, at a time when economic agents are repeatedly raising prices, distorting the market and having a direct impact on citizens.