The Consumer Protection Association (CPA) has a 10-point strategic plan including the monitoring of prices through SMS text messages. This new interactive technology will allow consumers to monitor any unreasonable price increase through their cell phones, Dr. Nasser Al-Tweam, President of the CPA, said here Wednesday. Dr. Al-Tweam's statement came in response to criticism from several consumers that the CPA has been busy for a long time with its internal disputes over the position of its chairman and had completely forgotten the interests of the Kingdom's consumers. Consumers have called upon the CPA to monitor prices saying that the association promised to issue studies on the increase in market prices but none has been issued so far. During a visit to the vegetable market here, Okaz/Saudi Gazette found that consumers were complaining about skyrocketing prices. Products are being monopolized, they claimed. Some citizens said that the prices of vegetables and fruits, especially tomatoes, cucumbers, apples, oranges, watermelons, and bananas have increased by 30 percent. “This price hike is unreasonable and increases the burden on families because these products are consumed daily and are indispensable in Ramadan, which will begin is just over two weeks time. __
