KUWAIT CITY, Oct 20: Reliable sources have informed that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is currently working to assess the strategic food stock of around 20 major private sector companies, including various essential food items and commodities.

According to the sources, this initiative is part of ongoing positive cooperation between the government and private sectors, coordinated by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Khalifa Al-Ajeel. The goal is to secure the market’s needs (for citizens and residents) and strengthen the stock. This process follows efforts to ensure that government companies are ready to respond to market demands.

The sources added that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is actively responding to market needs and developments. It is also monitoring the storage capacity of the Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries Company and its subsidiaries. Monitoring and follow-up have shown that the company has successfully doubled its storage capacity and increased its strategic food stock to a level that can meet market demands for an extended period. This differs from the private sector’s stock, which is currently being assessed and allocated to the market accordingly.

The Ministry of Commerce places high importance on food security and recognizes the joint responsibility shared by the public and private sectors. Coordination between the Ministry and private companies is ongoing to achieve the desired goals. The Ministry is focused on determining the size and type of inventory held by each company to compile accurate statistics and assess the capacity of the Cooperative Societies Union, which is included among the entities covered by these directives.

The sources confirmed that authorities regularly prepare detailed reports once the private sector’s stock is assessed, identifying any shortages in specific materials. This is part of the Ministry of Commerce's commitment to ensuring full readiness to handle any market developments.

Additionally, the sources revealed that the committee overseeing the implementation of the National Food Security Strategy projects is focused on evaluating the country’s emergency food security plans, the cooperation between the public and private sectors, and the readiness of relevant authorities to meet local market needs.

The Ministry of Commerce is also keen to expand food imports to prevent potential shortages. The Ministry’s relevant departments are closely monitoring the situation both digitally and on-site, ensuring regular coordination. This includes regular monitoring of the Kuwait Supply Company’s warehouses and distribution branches, ensuring that essential goods are consistently available across more than 90 supply branches.