15/10/2025
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15/10/2025
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KUWAIT CITY, Oct 15: Chairwoman of the Union of Consumer Cooperative Societies Maryam Al-Awad affirmed that cooperative work in the country is based on economic, social and productive foundations, not making profits, as some believe. In a television interview, Al - Awad pointed out that the legislature limited the percentage of profits and returns from purchases to not more than 12 percent, while allocating an entire budget item called ‘social services’, for beautifying facilities, landscaping, and recreational activities that serve the community. She also stated that being the first woman to assume the presidency of the union since its founding in 1971 is a huge responsibility entrusted to her by Minister of Social, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah.
She considers this assignment an extension of the political leadership’s support for the empowerment of women in various fields, as per the directive of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Regarding the ‘Cooperative Goods’ competition, Al-Awad affirmed that the union focuses on quality and fair pricing, indicating a tender was issued to supply goods from Oct 12 to 23. She confirmed a decision on the bids will be taken soon, and that these goods will be offered exclusively under the name, ‘Cooperative,’ within cooperative societies, prohibiting their display in parallel markets.
She urged the leading companies that meet the requirements to participate in the competition. About the support for national products, she disclosed that the union issued circulars obligating cooperatives to allocate distinct locations for Kuwaiti products on their shelves. She asserted that “national products deserve to be at the front, putting them at the back of the shelves is unacceptable.” She indicated that the union is working hard to correct this situation through the issuance of circulars and field visits. On the strategic food and consumer stock in the country, she stressed “it is very good”.
She pointed out that COVID- 19 pandemic experience has proven the strength of the country’s supply system, as it has not witnessed shortage of basic or luxury goods. On the fish sector, she said this sector is under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, not the union. However, she did not rule out the possibility of considering its entry in the future, especially since the union’s bylaws grant it the authority to contract directly with companies and factories without intermediaries. She also revealed that the union owns the ‘Cooperative Tuna’ brand, which is manufactured in Thailand, and that it is currently searching for other leading international factories to achieve higher quality.
By Fares Ghaleb Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
