Traders 'are cashing in on Gulf Cup victory'

Abu Dhabi: UAE flag prices have increased remarkably since the UAE football team won the Gulf Cup, according to residents.

Whereas a two by one metre flag used to cost around Dh10, the price has jumped to Dh50, say residents. Mubarak Al Junaibi, a 30-year-old UAE national, said the prices "are on fire."

"Everything has increased; the flags, even decorations for cars," he said.

"The traders are exploiting the football team's victory to increase their sales. I have just fixed a UAE flag on my car bonnet, it cost me Dh60 although it doesn't cost more than Dh5 to make. I also put a sticker of the UAE team on the rear window and it cost me Dh170."

Ahmad Saeed Al Ameri, 19, an Emirati student, said his flag cost him Dh80.

"I put a flag on top of my car roof, I even did it before the final match and I paid Dh80. Now, some of my friends are paying over Dh100 for such a flag."

Majid Dahlawi, 28, a Syrian bank employee, said the increase in flag prices was "robbing the spirit of victory from the people."

"Everyone here is very happy and thrilled for the victory of the UAE football team; they want to express their happiness by putting flags on their car and other decorations. Increasing the price is very bad and I don't think the traders have the right to do so," he said.

However the traders say it's all a matter of "supply and demand."

Bharat S., a car accessories shop owner, told Gulf News prices would come down in a few days.

"I think people should not complain, the prices have increased a bit it's true, but we will be only selling flags for a couple more days and then the prices will naturally go down."

Currently we charge Dh50 for flags that fit on car bonnets. If people want to just buy the flag alone, it's Dh30, he said.