People In Kuwait Struggle With Soaring Prices

According to Al-Anba daily, Kuwaiti Society for Consumer Protection Chairperson Khaled Al-Subaie announced an increase in the price of frozen chicken from KD 8,900 to KD 15,900 per carton. Al-Subaie claimed that 400 grams of a type of tea increased in price from KD1.215 to KD2.565, while the weight was reduced to 350 grams, and washing powder increased by approximately 20 percent.

According to him, this violates the Ministry of Commerce and Industry's decisions to stabilize prices and laws prohibiting unjustified or artificial price increases. The justified price increase usually ranges from five to ten percent, provided there is a change in the product, such as an increase in weight. By artificially raising prices, he warned that other basic products would also increase in price, draining consumers' pockets. To prevent unjustified price hikes and to strictly enforce the law against violators, he appealed to the concerned authorities.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, on the other hand, revealed that it sent a letter to the Consumer Cooperative Societies Union requesting suppliers not to raise their prices and to provide the ministry with data on suppliers who have raised their prices, as well as the necessary evidence to prosecute them. Sources said Minister of Commerce and Industry Mohammad Al-Aiban earlier instructed the Commercial Control and Consumer Protection Sector in the ministry to tighten control over local markets, as some traders may take advantage of the decision to increase the financial privileges provided to retirees.

Market experts stated that the sector is implementing a well-planned plan to stabilize prices and prevent price increases. Using law number 10 of 1979, which gives the Minister of Commerce and Industry the power to take such action, the decision to freeze commodity prices was taken to protect consumers, by not allowing price hikes without the ministry's approval. According to sources, any increase in prices will be regarded as artificial, and those who are proven to have violated the law will be prosecuted.

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