KUWAIT CITY, April 21: Participants at a seminar on “High Cost of Living”, organized by the National Forum Sunday, blamed the executive and legislative authorities for price hike in the country, reports Al-Seyassah daily.

The official spokesperson of the forum Suleiman Al-Enaizan asserted the lawmakers have ignored the real situation of Kuwaitis and their sufferings in the course of prices hike, and noted the situation is beyond their means of livelihood.

He stressed that basic items - including food, accommodation, education and health, have skyrocketed steadily, surpassing the monthly salaries employees receive.

He revealed the forum was an opportunity to rub minds with experts such as former lawmaker Dr Mohammad Al-Hatlan, former Municipal Council member Majid Mousa, economist Bader Al-Sheikh, and journalist Hassan Al-Ansari.

In his remark, Dr Mohammad Al-Hatlan focused on the role of the government in arresting price hike, saying the previous cooperative law stipulates a 30 percent cut on rent to bail out citizens and reduce the spate of price hike.

He lamented over the failure to observe regulations, which has deactivated most of the items of the law meant to protect consumers. He emphasized the high level of redundancy among the youth, indicating the issue has become a burden to many families in the face of like in prices, whereas the recent intrigues concerning privatization bill require visionary actions by the government, considering many problems came up, particularly in the oil sector, before it was passed.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is set to eliminate the unjustified hike in the prices of foodstuff and other commodities through activation of law and intensive supervision, reports Al-Seyassah daily.
The daily quoted Minister of Commerce and Industry Ahmad Al-Haroun as saying the ministry will deal with the situation, although the remarkable increase in the price of consumer commodities is also witnessed in the international market.
He stressed the ministry is preparing to clamp down on potential prices hike, which may occur in summer, Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr, as well as the resumption of school. He touched on the importance of the May 11 parliamentary session scheduled to discuss the price of commodities in the local market.