Kuwait cracks down on coop sector, 304 personnel referred to Prosecution
15 cooperative societies dissolved, 76 board members removed as ministry intensifies inspections
Kuwait’s cooperative societies sector is facing intensified regulatory scrutiny, with the Ministry of Social Affairs dissolving the boards of 15 cooperative societies, removing 76 board members from 16 societies and referring 304 individuals to the Public Prosecution over cases arising from its oversight procedures.
The measures, implemented over the past three months, represent a broad supervisory campaign targeting the management and financial administration of cooperative societies, according to Al-Anba. The dissolved boards include those of Al-Masayel, Al-Naseem, Al-Salam, Hadiya, Granada, Northwest Sulaibikhat and Doha, Livestock, Khaitan, Al-Zahraa, the Union of Cooperative Societies, Al-Adan and Al-Qusour, Salwa, Saad Al-Abdullah, Al-Khalidiya and Al-Jahra.
The ministry also removed 76 members from the boards of 16 cooperative societies. The affected societies include Northwest Sulaibikhat, Ishbiliya, Al-Rumaythiya, Sulaibikhat and Doha, Jaber Al-Ahmad, Al-Ardiya, Al-Wafra Agricultural, Mubarak Al-Kabeer and Al-Qurain, Al-Firdous, Abdullah Al-Mubarak, Hattin, Al-Sabahiya, Al-Rehab, Al-Naeem and Sabah Al-Salem.
Northwest Sulaibikhat recorded two separate cases involving board members, contributing to the overall number of members removed through dissolution procedures. The most significant measure involved referrals to the Public Prosecution. A total of 304 individuals. 139 Kuwaitis and 165 non-Kuwaitis, were referred in connection with cases identified through the ministry’s supervisory procedures.
Three cooperative societies were also issued warnings as part of the regulatory measures. The actions do not, by themselves, establish criminal liability, with any allegations against referred individuals subject to investigation and determination by the competent authorities.
Ministry inspection teams are continuing visits to cooperative societies across Kuwait’s governorates, with the stated objective of strengthening oversight, protecting shareholders’ funds and correcting administrative practices within the cooperative sector.
The latest measures underline the ministry’s continuing scrutiny of a sector that manages substantial community assets and plays a significant role in Kuwait’s retail and consumer economy.
