‘Place placards with price, quality of fish written on it’

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued a new circular related to Ministerial Decision No. 216/2014 which governs the activity of fish auction at the fish market, reports Al-Qabas daily.

According to the circular the emphasis is on the compliance of the rules and regulations of the ministry and the establishment of controls and provisions to deter those who exploit the consumers in terms of price of quality of fish.

The circular stressed in its first item that the auction should take place explicitly in the presence of an inspector from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and abide by all directives issued by him and at the times specified by him in coordination with the fish market management.

The other items stresses all licensed people must carry the identification cards irrespective whether they are owners of offices or brokers or their assistants.

Those who do not have the identity cards must get the same from the ministry after paying the prescribed fee.

The circular states all fish mongers must place placards with the price and quality of fish written on it and keep auction invoices and present to the ministry inspectors when required.

The owners are not allowed to bid on their own fish to increase prices and the auction should end after count five. Non-Kuwaitis or unlicensed people (expatriates) cannot enter the auction area until the end of auction.

According to the ministry, the circular specifies the sorting and organization of quotas – 35% for companies and restaurants; owners of stalls 35%, consumers 30%.