KUWAIT CITY, Feb 22: Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, Kuwait's Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs, highlighted the importance of the cooperative sector in the country. She stressed that the political leadership has directed efforts to support and encourage the national product, emphasizing that Kuwait has some of the best products available.

This statement was made during an open meeting organized by the Ministry of Social Affairs, attended by the Minister, the Undersecretary of the Ministry, Dr. Khaled Al-Ajmi, the Assistant Undersecretary for the Cooperative Sector, Ahmed Al-Furaij, and the Chairman of the Union of Cooperative Societies, Gharib Al-Adhan.

During the meeting, Dr. Al-Huwailah reaffirmed the government’s support for the cooperative sector, explaining that there are laws in place to regulate cooperative work. She emphasized that the Ministry is committed to overcoming obstacles faced by cooperatives and will continue to support them in their operations. “We are not here to obstruct your activities, but to help ensure that the interests of Kuwait and shareholders’ money are protected,” she stated.

She also addressed concerns about some cooperative societies that deliberately obstruct the Ministry's decisions. She made it clear that such actions are unacceptable and emphasized the importance of overcoming these barriers for the overall betterment of the sector. “We must work together to resolve any issues, as we are all in this together,” she added.

Al-Huwailah acknowledged the challenges faced by the cooperative sector, calling it one of the most demanding sectors to work in. She also mentioned receiving feedback from the Council of Ministers, citizens, and board members of cooperative societies. In a move to assist cooperatives during the Ramadan period, the Ministry will allocate funds for Ramadan festivals, though she cautioned against excessive spending. “Spending must remain within the allocated budget,” she stressed.

Additionally, the Minister raised concerns about some companies prioritizing profit over quality and disregarding customer needs. She urged cooperatives to offer diverse goods to prevent customers from turning to parallel markets. She also emphasized the importance of reducing expenses and increasing revenue to improve the sustainability of the cooperatives.

Dr. Al-Huwailah further underscored that the Ministry fully supports initiatives that serve the country and its people. She encouraged cooperative societies to continue presenting their initiatives and remain committed to serving their communities. “There is a clear directive from the political leadership to support the national product. We must encourage our local products, as they are among the best available,” she noted.

She also expressed concern over reports from the Food Authority regarding cleanliness issues in some cooperatives, leading to the closure of certain societies. Dr. Al-Huwailah stressed the Ministry’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to improve the sector, including efforts to localize simple jobs and support small and national projects.

The Minister also acknowledged reports of employees being punished and assured that the matter was being addressed with the Anti-Corruption Commission. She warned that the cooperative sector is under scrutiny and urged board members to act responsibly to preserve the interests of shareholders. She cautioned against the potential for corruption and advised cooperative leaders to protect the integrity of their operations. “We must remain vigilant and protect the shareholders’ money,” she emphasized.

In addition, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Dr. Khaled Al-Ajmi, unveiled a new mechanism for Kuwaitizing supervisory positions in cooperative societies. Under this new system, Kuwaiti applicants will be selected based on their performance in a test, rather than relying solely on personal interviews. The new process aims to prevent human error and ensure the most qualified individuals are selected for these positions.

Dr. Al-Ajmi explained that applicants would be evaluated on a scale of 90 points for the test, with an additional 10 points for the personal interview. He confirmed that applications for these positions would be processed through the "Fakhr" platform, in coordination with the Public Authority for Manpower and the Union of Cooperative Societies.

This new selection process is part of the Ministry’s broader plan to enhance the Kuwaitization of jobs in cooperatives, ensuring that the most qualified individuals are chosen for positions in this vital sector.