KUWAIT: Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Mohammad Al-Aiban, accompanied by Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce Ziad Al-Najem, visited the Al-Siddiq Center for Commercial Control and the Central Operations Room to assess the mechanisms and progress of work. The purpose was to monitor and stay informed about the latest developments in the work plan of the Commercial Control Department, emergency response and inspection teams.

The visit aimed to evaluate compliance with directives aimed at tightening and intensifying control over the markets to prevent artificial price increases. These measures were implemented in response to recent financial increases approved for retirees. The ministry proactively took steps to monitor and control any potential future increases.

During the visit, Aiban learned about the daily work plan and procedures of the various departments, including follow-up and coordination, the automated information center, the central operations room and the emergency control team. Each section provided detailed explanations of its workplan.

The discussions covered the mechanism for receiving complaints and reports, procedures for handling them, inspection protocols, reports detailing control violations and their statistics, monitoring of supply branches through the operations room’s screens and the operation of mobile cameras used by inspectors to document their tours.

Aiban engaged with consumers by listening to calls at the call center and communicating with several individuals to gather their opinions on the service provided and to receive their suggestions and comments. At the conclusion of the visit, Aiban commended the work mechanisms in place and encouraged further efforts.

He emphasized that employees and commercial control inspectors play a crucial role as the first line of defense in protecting consumers. Aiban stressed the importance of integrity in their work. He also directed an increase in inspection tours, vigilance, and focus to deter any violations of the law. Aiban emphasized a commitment to taking maximum penalties against violators and those attempting to exploit financial increases to raise the prices of goods.