The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has begun a programme to stabilise the commodity market for the 2010 – 2011 academic year in the city.

Businesses participating in this programme will meet 30 – 40% of a total demand of local pupils for notebooks, school bags and uniforms.

They must sell these goods at prices a minimum of 15% lower than market prices from now until October 31 this year.

During this period, the businesses are not allowed to increase the prices of these products if the market prices go up. They are only permitted to reduce the prices if market prices drop 5% or more.