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Thursday, January 16, 2025
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Kuwait ministers in bid to strengthen price controls

publish time

16/01/2025

publish time

16/01/2025

Kuwait ministers in bid to strengthen price controls

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 16, (Agencies): The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Khalifa Al-Ajeel, and the Minister of Social Affairs and Childhood Affairs, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss cooperation in enhancing price monitoring and developing the strategic stockpile. The Ministry of Commerce told KUNA that during the meeting, an agreement was made to cooperate in supporting and monitoring the unified electronic platform for regulating product prices in the Cooperative Societies Federation.

The ministry added that the meeting also resulted in an agreement to accelerate the digital transformation of market monitoring and to develop inventory management strategies that support food security and market stability, based on the directives of the political leadership. The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Consumer Cooperative Societies Federation, Gharib Al-Adhan, and many senior officials from both ministries. In other news, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, the Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs, announced the launch of the automated system for central assistance. According to responsible sources at the Ministry, since its inception on Jan 5, around 2,000 individuals have registered through the system and obtained user credentials. These individuals have submitted approximately 1,000 aid requests, covering a wide range of needs, including rent allowances, student support, medical treatments, debt repayments, and other forms of assistance.

The ministry sources highlighted that various charitable organizations have activated their “usernames” on the system, enabling them to process and respond to aid requests according to the guidelines set by the Ministry. Dr. Al-Huwailah emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that all charitable transactions are conducted solely through this centralized system, cautioning that any assistance provided outside the system will not be permitted. “Not a single dinar will be allowed to be spent except through the centralized system,” she affirmed, reinforcing the importance of adhering to the Ministry’s protocols.

To ensure compliance, the Charitable Societies and Endowments Department at the Ministry carries out regular inspections of participating organizations, reviewing their operations and responding to any complaints. Moreover, financial reports are periodically assessed to verify that all aid disbursements occur within the framework of the system. The primary goal of the new system is to centralize and unify the charitable efforts aimed at supporting needy families while preventing the duplication of aid by different entities. Dr. Al-Huwailah noted that the Ministry’s employees will monitor the system closely, identifying charitable organizations that fail to engage with aid requests. Organizations that do not comply will be alerted, with further actions taken as necessary. This initiative reflects the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to improving the transparency, efficiency, and accountability of social assistance efforts, ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most in a fair and organized manner.