‘Govt has financial resources necessary to face any emergency’

KUWAIT CITY, March 7: Minister of Commerce and Industry Fahad Al-Shariaan said the government has taken all measures to ensure the normal supply of goods and foodstuffs and the price stability, in light of fears of interruptions of supplies at global level due to the Ukrainian- Russian crisis, reports Al-Qabas daily. Al-Shariaan said in a statement to KUNA, the state has an abundant strategic stock of basic and consumer foodstuffs available to all governorates of the country which have been distributed through its main stores and supply branches. He pointed to the readiness of the emergency teams of the ministry for any sudden changes that may occur in the situation adding all possibilities and their impact on the supply network, global development and solutions are being studied.

Supply
He stated the supply lines for imports of food and consumer goods and the export of goods in Kuwait and the Arab Gulf region are not affected, stressing that the normal flow will continue according to a specific schedule in cooperation with the Kuwait Ports Corporation, the General Administration of Customs and other official bodies.

He stated Kuwait and the Gulf Cooperation Council have drawn contingency plans should there be any sudden change and should the crisis worsen to ensure the smooth flow of goods and air, land and sea freight operations for materials without interruption particularly the supply of foodstuffs. Al-Shariaan reassured citizens and residents of the availability of all basic needs and food commodities in catering companies, cooperative societies and supermarkets, stressing that the government has the financial resources necessary to face any emergency that occurs in the region.

Change
When asked about any sudden change in the prices of commodities and foodstuffs, Al-Shariaan affirmed that the Ministry of Commerce will not tolerate such situation and will take legal measures against any violator who raises the prices of all kinds of products without justification. He indicated that the ministry’s emergency work teams work seven days a week around the clock in the markets to supervise and monitor goods, services and businesses, prepare studies and conduct price comparisons to ensure their stability, especially food prices.

Al-Shariaan praised the efforts of workers in the Ministry of Commerce and other government agencies and the private sectors to contain and deal with previous crises, especially prices during the Corona crisis, and to develop appropriate solutions and decisions to remedy its negative effects, limit its aggravation and establish controls, stressing the ability of the people of the country to deal with crises.