The program also has a facility that enables people to inform the ministry about cases of trade fraud.

“The ministry introduced this service in order to help the public know the prices of various commodities when shopping,” a ministry official told Arab News. “We hope it will contribute to a reduction in trade violations.”

The application can be used on all sorts of hand-held devices such as iPhones, iPads, BlackBerries and Nokias, enabling people to know the prices of items such as milk, meat, rice and flour, said the official, adding that the prices would be updated daily.

The interactive computer application also allows members of the public to inquire about average prices in 27 cities across the Kingdom. “It also allows consumers to preserve their favorite goods and follow up their prices daily at their preferred points of sales,” he said.

According to the ministry’s website, the same information would also be circulated through other types of phones such as BlackBerries and Nokias.

The ministry has also provided an e-mail address ([email protected]) for members of the public to send their opinions.