Cooperative sector crucial to Kuwait’s food and economic security: Al-Huwaila

Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwaila, has emphasized the vital role of the cooperative sector in safeguarding Kuwait’s food and economic security.

Speaking at an open meeting with the Control and Inspection Department at the Community Development Center in Al Zahra, she called for stronger regulatory performance, transparency, and accountability.

Al-Huwaila acknowledged human error but stressed shared responsibility and the need to develop the sector through technology, enhanced services, and integrity.

She praised Kuwait’s cooperative model as exemplary in the Gulf and Arab regions and pledged to improve service quality to match global standards.

The minister addressed challenges, including financial and administrative violations in some associations, urging inspectors — whom she called the ministry’s “eyes” — to continue their essential oversight role. She promised support and accountability, assuring that anyone acting professionally and honestly would strengthen public services.

Assistant Undersecretary Ahmed Al-Furaij confirmed the launch of development plans include enrolling inspectors in legal, financial, and administrative courses.; introducing accounting automation and digital correspondence; enforcing the new “Integrity” law requiring disclosure of financial interests and preparing to hire financial and administrative auditors soon.

Al-Furaij also stated that some societies will be linked to a central control system as pilot models, with automated reporting gradually extended to all. He affirmed that inspectors will be held accountable just like cooperative boards, reinforcing the ministry’s commitment to integrity and reform.