Government tightens grip on mobile carts, backs serious entrepreneurs
The Cabinet, meeting yesterday at the Bayan Palace chaired by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah, signaled a firm shift toward stricter regulation and cleaner markets, as Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajil reaffirmed that the government’s policies are built on one unshakeable principle: protecting serious, law-abiding entrepreneurs and project owners from unfair competition.
Al-Ajil said safeguarding compliant businesses is a non-negotiable regulatory priority, stressing that the ministry will not tolerate practices that undermine fairness, distort competition or harm those who have adhered to the law and approved requirements, reports, Al-Jarida daily.
“Our procedures are designed first and foremost to support serious project owners who have complied with the regulations,” he said, adding that the ministry is determined to shield them from any abuse or market manipulation.
Briefing the Cabinet on the results of a field inspection tour conducted last Thursday, Al-Ajil detailed the measures taken — alongside Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan and Minister of State for Municipal and Housing Affairs Abdul Latif Al-Mashari — to reorganize and redistribute mobile food trucks across Kuwait.
The tour covered the newly designated sites and spaces for mobile carts, part of an integrated plan to impose order on a sector that has expanded rapidly in recent years.
Al-Ajil explained that the ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Public Works and Kuwait Municipality, has:
- Prepared new parking sites for food trucks,
- Facilitated the handover of plots of 5,000 square metres per site in various areas,
- Tightened control through continuous inspection campaigns,
- Implemented immediate measures against violators,
- Reviewed licenses and compliance with specifications and conditions, and
- Enforced the use of the smart license system.
The objective, he said, is to create a fairer, more sustainable business environment, enhance service quality, and maximize the efficient use of designated spaces.
As part of an ongoing review of commercial records, Al-Ajil revealed that the ministry has cancelled more than 1,100 food truck licenses after determining that they were inactive, unrenewed, or failed to meet regulatory requirements.
The move forms part of a broader plan to:
- purify commercial registers,
- redirect opportunities to deserving operators, and
- restore discipline in a vital and growing sector.
He added that a decision has been issued to designate five new locations for mobile food trucks starting this January, geographically distributed across several regions of Kuwait, in line with an organizational vision aimed at ensuring fair spatial distribution and facilitating monitoring and regulation.
On a separate front, the Cabinet was briefed on the latest preparations for Kuwait’s hosting of the French Super Cup tomorrow at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, featuring Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille.
Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Organizing Championships and Sports Events, affirmed that all state entities are mobilized to ensure the success of this major international sporting event.
“We are committed to applying the highest organizational standards to present this tournament in the most splendid way, reflecting Kuwait’s bright and civilized image,” Al-Mutairi said.
He noted that the media sector has completed all preparations for comprehensive coverage, following a series of coordination meetings involving concerned authorities, committee members and the Kuwait Football Association.
The Cabinet was also informed of the participation of Al-Ajil, Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, and Minister of Finance and Acting Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment Dr. Subaih Al-Mukhaizeem in the 56th World Economic Forum, to be held in Davos, Switzerland, from January 19 to 23.
The forum will include sessions and workshops focused on strengthening international cooperation to address global economic, political, financial, social and climate challenges.
The Council reviewed several agenda items, approved a number of them, and referred others to the relevant ministerial committees for further study and report preparation to complete the required procedures.
