Key stakeholders will meet early on Friday to discuss their concerns regarding the upcoming launch of the e-kalathi platform an initiative aimed at enhancing market transparency.

Following a meeting held at the Chamber on Thursday with the involvement of the Consumer Goods Association, Retail Trade Association, and Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) – which includes a number of supermarkets – it emerged that a series of significant issues and concerns were raised by the trade sector.

The Friday meeting, scheduled for 8 am, will include Keve President Stavros Stavrou, General Secretary Marios Tsiakkis, and Energy, Commerce and Industry Minister George Papanastasiou.

During the meeting on Thursday, “a series of problems and concerns were recorded, very important and substantial issues, which those affected from the trade side feel need clarification, in order for the e-kalathi tool to be implemented properly and without problems and to serve its purpose,” Tsiakkis said.

The competent ministry has set the goal for the platform to be operational by December 20.

Keve General Secretary Marios Tsiakkis confirmed that representatives from trade associations, including product importers, retailers, and supermarkets, will provide input to Keve’s leadership regarding their concerns and the potential impact of the initiative.

The purpose of today’s meeting is to “listen to the associations’ concerns and opinions on the matter in order to develop a clearer perspective on the e-kalathi,” Tsakakis stated.

The e-kalathi, an electronic application designed to improve market transparency by providing consumers with up-to-date pricing information on essential household products, is seen as a critical tool for consumer protection.

In November, Commerce Minister George Papanastasiou announced that the platform would be operational before the Christmas shopping period, aiming to ensure consumers are better informed when making purchasing decisions.

Despite recent doubts raised over the timeline for its launch, the minister reiterated on Thursday that “we hope to have it operational before the Christmas shopping period”.

Despite concerns about the timeline, Papanastasiou reaffirmed on Thursday that the platform is nearing completion. A pilot phase, expected to last 15 to 20 days, will precede the official launch, allowing the ministry to address any technical or operational issues.

The ministry’s consumer protection service has expressed confidence that the e-kalathi will significantly improve market transparency. The tool is designed to provide consumers with daily price updates, empowering them to make smarter choices and promoting fair competition among retailers.