Government To Distribute Masks With Ration Food

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has asked Kuwait Supply Company to provide 10 million masks either by importing or direct contracting with suppliers in the local market as per the directive of the Council of Ministers, reports Al-Rai daily.
 

A source confirmed the Cabinet supports the endeavors of supervisory authorities, foremost of which is the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to ensure there is no black market for masks taking advantage of the corona virus crisis.

This reflects keenness of the government and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled to provide this commodity in this time of scarcity.

Also, Minister of Commerce and Industry Khaled Al-Roudhan issued decisions to close 19 pharmacies in the past three days for not selling masks.

It is mentioned that according to the law, Kuwait Supply is the company responsible for providing goods in the ration card and the subsidized construction materials. It reduces prices, distributes and organizes the disbursement of subsidized items.

The source did not specify quantities that will be distributed to each beneficiary and whether this will be one-time or with every share disbursed until the announcement of the end of the crisis. The number of beneficiaries of ration card items according to official data announced by the ministry in 2019 reached 2.13 million distributed in 236,968 ration cards.

The source said Kuwait Supply will meet with local suppliers to discuss implementation of the Cabinet’s decision, in addition to looking into the possibility of providing the required quantity within the shortest period and specifying the markets which they will depend on.

He indicated that 10 million masks will be the first batch of the government’s order, adding the second batch could be up to five million. He confirmed there are preliminary discussions on possibility of granting the Ministry of Health half of the targeted masks; bearing in mind that the ministry needs about 200,000 masks per month in normal conditions.

As per the official data issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the value of the subsidies for goods, ration supplies and construction materials last year reached KD 208 million.

The amount allocated as subsidies for foodstuffs that include basic materials, in addition to infant milk and nutrients reached KD 113.9 million and the value of construction materials subsidies was KD 95 million.

On the other hand, the sources confirmed that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry officials launched an extensive campaign on warehouses of companies and pharmacies to ensure availability of masks, stressing that the ministry will take legal and administrative measures in case of any manipulation as the mask became a major need this time.

 

SOURCE : ARABTIMES

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