Minister highlights importance of advancing cooperative movement
Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs, said “the political leadership is deeply committed to supporting the cooperative movement, urging us to update the law and ensure that a wide range of goods are accessible to all.”
• Abu Fataira Cooperative Society saw a 20% sales increase over the past three months, with an additional 400,000 dinars in sales.
Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs, highlighted the importance of advancing the cooperative movement, stating, “The political leadership is deeply committed to supporting the cooperative movement, urging us to update the law and ensure that a wide range of goods are accessible to all,” according to Al Rai newspaper.
Al-Huwailah stated, in a comment made on the sidelines of the opening of the new central market of the Abu Fataira Cooperative Association the day before yesterday, that “The new central market of the Abu FatairaCooperative Society marks a milestone and a qualitative shift for cooperative central markets, offering a wide variety of high-quality goods and international brands. We hope all cooperatives will follow this association’s example in developing their central markets.”
She added, “The cooperative movement in Kuwait dates back to the days of our ancestors and fathers, beginning in the 1950s. It evolved from schools, and in 1962, the first law for the cooperative movement was issued in Kuwait, after which cooperative work began to grow, playing both an economic and social role. Cooperative associations have an important role in times of crisis and normal conditions. During crises, they proactively provide everything needed by shareholders, the citizens, and residents of this country, offering integrated social services that serve local communities.”
She pointed out, “The ministry provides substantial support to cooperatives, guided by the political leadership’s commitment to supporting the cooperative movement.” Regarding the new law for cooperatives, she said, “We are still working on it, and God willing, it will soon be finalized, marking a significant advancement in the cooperative sector.”
Regarding the challenges facing the cooperative sector, Al-Huwailah stressed that “the ministry is working to remove all obstacles to the Kuwaitization of cooperative associations and the movement, but with procedures that involve balanced and gradual steps, as we need specialized technical cadres from the people of Kuwait to lead this important sector.”
She added that “oversight of the work of cooperative associations has existed and continues. Monitoring will not stop, and the role of the Ministry of Social Affairs is to oversee and evaluate the cooperative movement. The competent authorities also monitor prices, the availability and quality of goods, in addition to administrative and financial controls.”
She further emphasized, “We will not stand idly by if we discover any administrative or financial abuses, whether minor or serious. Those who work in accordance with the law will be supported, while those who violate the cooperatives law will be held accountable for any administrative or financial misconduct to preserve shareholders’ funds.”
Equipping and developing the central market
For his part, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abu Fataira Cooperative Society, Dr. Faisal SarhanAl-Anzi, stated that “equipping and developing the central market is an important step towards meeting the needs of shareholders and visitors. It reflects the vision of the Board of Directors and the decisions of the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Cooperative Sector.”
As for the head of the purchasing committee in the association, Falah Al-Mutatim, he stated that “the association witnessed a significant increase in sales during the past three months compared to the previous year, with sales rising by 400,000 dinars, a twenty percent increase. More than 10,500 food items and 9,500 consumer items were introduced into the central market, and over 195 new companies were approved, reflecting a 122 percent increase.”
In turn, the Chairman of the Administrative and Financial Committee, Khaled Al-Mutairi, stated that “one of the most important achievements of the current council is the launch of the new association app, which offers many services. The use of paper has been reduced, promoting a greener environment. Additionally, the renovation of the supply branch is underway, and we will soon finalize the licenses for the construction of the gas branch. Fourteen shops will be available for investment in the mall, including two for small entrepreneurs.”
