Minister of Social Affairs to Cooperative Societies Board Chairs: Develop Operations and Enhance Services for Members

Dr. Amthal Al-Hawila, Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood, discussed a number of issues related to the development of cooperative work and the enhancement of services provided to shareholders and residents of areas during a meeting with the chairs of the boards of directors of cooperative societies.

Al-Hawila emphasized, during the meeting attended by Maram Awad, the appointed director of the Union of Cooperative Societies, and members of the committee for unifying the visual identity, the importance of accelerating the implementation of the unified visual identity for the societies following the official adoption and registration of the logo.

She noted that standardizing the external appearance contributes to improving the facilities of the societies and enhancing the general appearance of the areas, stressing the necessity of completing the modification of awnings in the societies and monitoring their implementation in accordance with the approved identity.

She highlighted the importance of finalizing the preparation of organizational structures and salary scales in a manner that considers the needs and capacities of the societies and supports job stability and efforts toward Kuwaitization.

She pointed out the importance of development plans including facilitating access and movement within cooperative societies for persons with disabilities and the elderly, and adapting facilities and services to meet their needs, thereby providing them with a shopping experience that is easier, safer, and more independent.

She called on the boards of directors to pay attention to the cleanliness, maintenance, and upkeep of the societies and their facilities, to monitor the availability of goods and compliance with price regulations, and to work on addressing observations and deficiencies promptly.

Al-Hawila affirmed the responsibility of the boards of directors to make sound decisions, protect shareholders’ funds, preserve them, and grow them to achieve the best possible returns for them, while continuing to provide services that meet the needs of shareholders and residents of the areas.

She stressed the importance of adhering to transparency and integrity, avoiding conflicts of interest, and ensuring the safety of procurement, supply, and contracting procedures, as well as the management of investment branches in accordance with laws and regulations.

She clarified that the Ministry’s oversight aims to support cooperative work, verify compliance with laws, decisions, and regulations, and address deficiencies before they escalate, noting that legal measures, including dissolution, dismissal, or referral to the Public Prosecution, are taken only when warranted and are not an end in themselves.

Al-Hawila stated that the Ministry will continue its ongoing supervision and monitoring of the societies’ operations and will not tolerate any proven violation or transgression in accordance with legal procedures, in order to protect shareholders’ funds and ensure compliance with the laws and decisions governing cooperative work.

She emphasized the importance of monitoring the performance of appointed managers and board members and the necessity of submitting periodic reports detailing achievements, addressed observations, and obstacles faced, enabling the Ministry to follow up on work and support them in fulfilling their responsibilities.

She noted the Ministry’s commitment to cooperating with the societies and facilitating necessary procedures to accomplish priorities, highlighting the attention and care afforded to the cooperative sector by the political leadership, in recognition of its role in serving citizens and contributing to societal development.

She called for continued joint efforts to achieve the interests of the societies and their shareholders, contribute to the development of cooperative work, and enhance the status and reputation of the State of Kuwait in this field.