The Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU) yesterday spoke out against the “stupid” information that was recently published in the magazine distributed by the National Euro Changeover Committee (NECC) stating that “average prices” exist.

In a statement issued yesterday, the GRTU pointed out that the information stating that certain prices called “average prices” exist is incorrect.

“An average price is a statistical invention – similar to the statistical invention that states that the average family is made up of 2.4 people,” it said.

The GRTU went to say that it is not against recommended prices as long as these are not imposed by the law.

However, it added, the chamber is against the publication of “these so-called average prices” because these are fictitious and whoever “said this stupid thing” is causing great damage to small businesses.

The GRTU also called on the government not to give in to provocation and continue taking decisions that have decreased the inflation rate to the lowest its been in 20 years.

The GRTU said that the Consumers Association’s request for a price freeze is “madness” and expressed its satisfaction at the government’s decision to ignore this request.

It pointed out that the two main political parties are in favour of fair competition and a free market.

The GRTU was also pleased that the government took up proposals the chamber put forward – such as the introduction of the Fair pricing Agreements in Retailing (FAIR) whereby shop owners, on a voluntary basis, use a dual display pricing system closely tied to the exchange rate.