KUWAIT CITY, July 19: Director of the Cooperative Development Department at the Ministry of Social Affairs Hamad Al- Dhafiri stated that the number of commercial activities in 73 cooperative societies has exceeded 8,800. In a press statement, Al-Dhafiri disclosed that the sale of snacks is the most popular of the abovementioned commercial activities, indicating this expansion reflects the commitment of the ministry to diversify services and boost economic activity in the country. He said Sabah Al-Ahmad Cooperative Society leads the cooperatives in terms of the number of invested shops, as it is considered a modern area.

He revealed that 340 out of 396 shops in the cooperative are operational with an occupancy rate of 90 percent. He added that the remaining shops are being offered for investment gradually, with more than 40 new shops offered in the last six months alone. He confirmed that in Northwest Sulaibikhat, the occupancy rate of the invested shops reached about 90 percent as well; while West Abdullah Al-Mubarak is witnessing progress, with 50 percent of the total 61 shops being offered for investment, and 31 of these shops have been invested in so far. He revealed that from the beginning of this year until mid-July, more than 200 shops in various cooperative societies were offered for investment, as part of a systematic plan to accelerate the provision of diverse commercial services and expand the scope of cooperative activity.

In the context of supporting small enterprises, Al- Dhafiri stated that the department is working hard to implement the 10 percent allocation for these projects within the invested shops. He confirmed that in addition to the shops previously invested in this area, around 25 shops have also been offered for small enterprises since the beginning of the year, in line with the government’s policies to support entrepreneurship and provide business opportunities for young people. He added that all activities are available to entrepreneurs within this quota, including tire repair. He said the tire repair branch at Salmiya Cooperative Society was allocated to a small enterprise, thereby enhancing the role of youths in various commercial and service sectors. He asserted that the department -- under the directives of Minister of Social, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwaila and acting Undersecretary of the ministry Dr. Khaled Al- Ajmi, as well as the close monitoring of Assistant Undersecretary for Financial, Administrative and Cooperative Affairs Dr. Sayed Issa Mahmoud -- is continuing to implement the plan to launch shops in various areas. He said the tender envelopes for about 50 shops are expected to be opened in the coming days in several areas like Zahra, Kaifan, Jabriya, Sabah Al- Ahmad, Al-Naeem, Wafra, Qadisiya, Ali Sabah Al- Salem Suburb and others. He added that these shops are engaged in different activities, such as retail sales, gifts and luxuries, men’s barbershops, men’s salons, laundry, juice shops, and tailoring.

Regarding the Mutlaa Cooperative Society, Al- Dhafiri affirmed that the ministry -- after forming a temporary council for the cooperative -- is currently working toward the opening of several branches in various residential areas; in addition to preparing to offer the shops there for investment soon, in a manner that meets the needs of the residents and enhances the cooperative’s readiness to serve them. He disclosed that the department has completed more than 20,000 transactions through automation since the beginning of January last year until mid-July this year, confirming the development of services and the speed of completion of transactions. He pointed out that this reflects the ministry’s commitment to provide a flexible and comprehensive cooperative investment environment in all areas, through clear plans that integrate efforts in terms of development and support.

By Fares Ghaleb
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff