KUWAIT CITY, March 3: The Ministry of Social Affairs, through its Cooperative Sector, has begun overseeing the distribution of designated spaces to cooperative societies across the country. These spaces, allocated to the Farmers Union within central cooperative markets, will be known as the "Kuwaiti Farmer’s Corner." Covering 30 percent of the total market space, this area is intended for the display of local agricultural products, providing a platform for the union and boosting opportunities to market local production. The initiative is aimed at ensuring the consistent availability of local products, supporting Kuwaiti farmers, contributing to food security, and increasing the presence of national products in cooperative markets.

According to sources from the Ministry of Social Affairs, newly formed teams from the Cooperative Sector have begun their field inspections to ensure that cooperative societies comply with a recently issued ministerial decision promoting local agricultural products. The ministry has made it clear that it will take necessary legal actions against cooperative boards that do not follow the decision. Non-compliance will result in gradual penalties, starting with a warning, followed by the suspension of the cooperative's bank accreditation, and potentially leading to a "judicial seizure." In cases of continued non-compliance, the ministry may dissolve the board of directors.

The ministerial decision also requires cooperative societies to purchase at least 75 percent of their agricultural products locally. This is to be done by participating in daily auctions at approved marketing outlets, and the transactions must be documented under computerized invoices to ensure transparency and enhance the efficiency of buying and selling operations.

In addition, the ministry plans to form an investigation committee to review the operations and financial records of a cooperative society in the Ahmadi Governorate. The committee will examine all administrative documents and accounting records, ensuring their accuracy while investigating any potential mismanagement or misconduct by the society's leadership and employees during the relevant period. The committee will also monitor any violations and submit a report to the Undersecretary of the Ministry, which will be presented to the Minister of Social Affairs within one week of the committee’s formation.

The investigation report will include a detailed account of any violations, identify those responsible, and propose legal actions to address any issues. The committee's work will remain confidential, and its members are prohibited from disclosing any information. All departments of the Cooperative Sector, along with the concerned cooperative society, must provide the committee with all requested documents and data. Failure to comply will result in legal accountability.