Gaza, 21/7/2016--- seeking to enhance freedom of expression and the right of civilian to access information from an independent source, Press House-Palestine organized Face The Press Program on AL-Quds local radio station about " economy and restaurants in the Gaza Strip".
The meeting was attended by Dr.Emad Al-Baz, assistant undersecretary of Ministry of Economy- the journalist Nasser Abu-El Oun, head of Al-Quds broadcasters- the journalist Rana Al-Shrafy, from Palestine Newspaper- the journalist Mohammad Abu-Jayyab, the editorial head of Aleqtesadeya Newspaper, and Hamed Jadallah, head of Al-Ayyam local Newspaper, as well as Dr.Maher Al-Tabbaa, economy expert.
Dr.Emad Al-Baz asserted that the closure of any restaurant in the Gaza Strip does not mean that it is not going to be working again. Rather, this gives it a new chance to terminate things and go back to be opened after processing some procedures and ensuring better quality of services.
He added that the ministry closes a restaurant after the exhaustion of warning means and notices, where closing it becomes a necessity especially after his owner insists on breaking rules.
He added that the situation of restaurants is totally different from the last years, noting that the majority of them have dramatically improved their work using fresh meat instead of the frozen.
About the last check on the Gaza Strip restaurants during AL-Feter eid, El-Baz said that 80% of them are comply with good work. Added to this, the situation in general was good despite the challenges. 9 out of 100 irregularities were recorded, which confirms that restaurant corruption is a case not a phenomenon.
He explained that the Ministry has no time for checking all products due to lack of possibilities, calling the European Union and the international organization to present facilities that help to establish an international crossing in the Gaza Strip for entering products.
For the first, Face the Press Program has got the Palestinian people involved in direct discussions and questions , where the host has received many questions related to the situation of the traditional restaurant in the Gaza Strip.
Replying to the inquires of people, El-Baz announced about a soon central campaign that targets beans and Falafel restaurants, assuring that the Ministry will have to close the restaurants which do not work a high quality.
He asserted that 15 restaurant have been caught using titanium dioxide substance, which causes cancer. The owners of these restaurant use if for whitening Humus ( grinded cicer), therefore, the ministry is significantly monitoring using this substance to protect people.
El-Baz stressed on the importance of establishing economy tribunals and special judges for economy crimes, which are as dangerous as murders crimes. They must be given a priority, as the role of judiciary is so poor and not enough at all. Therefore, the ministry had to process some procedures to merchants in order to stop entering products.
In the end, El-Baz asked everyone to whom it may concern to cooperate with the Ministry of Economy, catching the restaurants and merchants who commit irregularities , and urgently contacting the ministry in case any bought any expired product.
