KUWAIT CITY, March 1: Ministry of Commerce and Industry Undersecretary Abdullah Al-Afasy has confirmed the signing of a contract with a Turkish government factory to supply 10 million face masks to Kuwait, indicating that cargo planes and trucks from the Ministry of Defense will transport these masks to Kuwaiti Supply Company stores to start distributing them to ration card holders among citizens, reports Al- Nahar daily.

In his exclusive statement to the daily, Al-Afasy disclosed the importation of masks will start this week; stressing that the shortage of face masks (surgical masks) is a global problem, not local. He said the ministry has intervened to prevent some vendors from taking advantage of the situation and it has imposed severe penalties on violators.

On the sterilization tools, Al- Afasy revealed a meeting was held with Kuwaiti factories to provide sterilization tools for the local market to cover the needs of individuals and sectors. He denied reports about the increase of commodity prices, noting that the ‘Bat-ha’ border entry between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia opened after its temporary closure for a few hours.

He said the border entry was reopened after communications with the Saudi authorities. He expressed appreciation and gratitude to the Saudi officials for allowing the passage of trucks transporting goods to Kuwait. He confirmed there is no shortage of any commodity while there is a surge of Chinese, Korean and Iranian goods across the UAE; let alone the alternatives to the Iranian market for onions – Pakistani, Yemeni or Egyptian market.

He went on to inform that the ministry met with 12 companies importing foodstuffs, during which it stressed the need to maintain prices without exploiting the consequences of coronavirus. He warned that whoever exploits the situation will face huge penalties. He revealed six stalls will be closed in Andalus and two others in the Vegetable Market (Shabra) for violating price regulations, stressing that whoever violates the ministry’s instructions or exploits the crisis will face dire disciplinary and legal repercussions.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Union of Cooperative Societies Meshal Al-Sayyar revealed in an exclusive statement to the daily that the union will distribute approximately one million face masks to cooperative societies within this week as part of its endeavor to face repercussions of the new coronavirus (COVID-19), in cooperation with the relevant government agencies. He added 250,000 medical masks will be distributed to cooperative societies from the beginning of this week, with the aim of supplying more masks within this week.

In response to reports about the price hike of basic commodities amid the new coronavirus crisis in some countries which have trade ties with Kuwait, Al-Sayyar affirmed the commodity prices are under control. He said the ministry is closely monitoring prices and there has been no price increase in cooperative societies.

In another development, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) Hashem Hashem issued a communiqué on the formation of a committee to followup the latest developments and preventive measures against the novel Corona virus, reports Al-Anba daily.

The 13-member committee headed by Asma Al-Qallaf was formed upon the recommendation of the senior health management in oil sector in view of the increasing infection rate in Kuwait.

As per the communiqué, the committee in coordination with the Ministry of Health intends to follow up the new Corona virus on a daily basis to keep abreast of the latest developments and necessary means of protection, while creating awareness among oil sector employees to prevent infection, and also provide necessary medical care in case of infection.

The committee’s tasks are summed up in following up reports and decisions issued by the Ministry of Health and implementing the requirements contained therein, setting mechanisms and ways to enhance the health of workers through preparation of awareness programs and broadcasting, and making sure that oil sector is ready to deal with cases of the emerging Corona virus in line with procedures endorsed by public health authorities