Federation of Associations: Organizing "Back to School" Festivals and Providing Family Needs at Affordable Prices

The General Manager of the Cooperative Societies Union, Maryam Al-Awad, confirmed that cooperative societies serve as the primary retail channel for meeting families’ general needs, not only regarding school supplies. She noted that the societies are competing to organize “Back to School” festivals and provide goods for students and families at affordable prices. Al-Awad stated that the societies are keen on offering products at reasonable prices, while clarifying that price monitoring is the exclusive mandate of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Cooperative societies function as sales outlets and dedicated markets for displaying goods, and, like other companies, they are subject to oversight by the competent authorities.

She added that the doors of the Cooperative Societies Union are open to all societies, pointing out that she had submitted a proposal about two months ago to hold monthly meetings with the legal representatives of the cooperative societies. The proposal will enter into force, with a monthly meeting convened at the Union’s headquarters to discuss topics and issues related to cooperative work.

Regarding libraries affiliated with cooperative societies, Al-Awad clarified that they are direct branches of the societies; therefore, they are not offered for investment nor managed by external companies. Instead, they are managed directly by the societies, similar to central markets and several other direct branches.

She highlighted the existence of a central committee for monitoring prices, established by a ministerial decision from the Minister of Commerce and Industry, with the Cooperative Societies Union participating as a member. She emphasized that prices of goods displayed in cooperative societies, whether food or consumer items, are subject to direct oversight. Al-Awad stressed that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is the competent authority for monitoring prices and setting prices, while cooperative societies are committed to adhering to the regulations and decisions governing this matter.