Kuwait’s Ministry of Social Affairs has announced new guidelines for cooperative societies ahead of Ramadan, focusing on responsible spending and financial oversight. Minister Dr. Amthal Al Huwailah emphasized budget adherence and support for local products. A new merit-based system for supervisory roles has been introduced, utilizing standardized tests for candidate selection.
As Ramadan approaches, Kuwait’s Ministry of Social Affairs has introduced new guidelines for financial oversight in cooperative societies. Minister Dr. Amthal Al Huwailah emphasized the importance of responsible spending, stating that while funds for Ramadan events will be allocated, cooperatives must adhere to set budget limits to ensure financial sustainability.
Dr. Al Huwailah affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting cooperative societies and promoting national products. She remarked, “There is a clear directive from the political leadership to support local goods because they are among the best available,” highlighting the significance of domestic products during Ramadan.
The Minister urged cooperatives to maintain financial discipline, underscoring that spending should remain within pre-allocated budgets. “Spending must remain within the allocated budget,” she stressed, encouraging resource management that meets customer demand while avoiding excess expenditures.
Addressing resistance to Ministry directives, Dr. Al Huwailah warned against noncompliance, stating, “We are not here to obstruct your activities, but to help ensure that the interests of Kuwait and shareholders’ money are protected.” She called for collaboration to tackle challenges within the cooperative sector.
Furthermore, she urged cooperatives to diversify their product offerings to prevent customers from seeking alternatives in parallel markets. Dr. Al Huwailah pointed out the need for reduced costs and increased revenues to ensure the sustainability of these societies.
In response to food safety concerns, she mentioned reports of cleanliness violations in certain cooperatives that resulted in temporary closures. The Ministry is working with stakeholders to resolve these issues and maintain high operational standards in the cooperative sector.
Additionally, Acting Undersecretary Dr. Khaled Al Ajmi announced a new merit-based system for selecting supervisory roles within cooperatives. This standardized test will assess candidates primarily through performance, allocating 90 points for the test and 10 for the interview, aiming to enhance the appointment process and minimize errors.
Applications will be processed via the “Fakhr” platform, coordinated with the Public Authority for Manpower and the Union of Cooperative Societies, ensuring that only the most qualified individuals are chosen for leadership positions in this sector.
Kuwait is implementing stricter financial oversight for cooperative societies ahead of Ramadan to promote responsible spending and financial sustainability. New guidelines prioritize local products, while reforms in supervisory positions aim to ensure qualified leadership through a merit-based selection process. The Ministry is committed to addressing cleanliness concerns and guiding cooperatives in diversifying their offerings to enhance competitiveness.
Original Source: gulfnews.com
