Minister of Social Affairs: Roll out 'Integrated Services' in Central Cooperative Markets

Faisal Matar: Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwail, has directed the expansion of the integrated services model within the central markets of cooperative societies in the coming period, enabling the provision of essential services under one roof and facilitating consumers’ access to their daily needs. This directive came during a field visit by Dr. Al-Huwail to the new headquarters of Al-Rawda and Hawalli Cooperative Society, to review operations and assess the level of services provided to members and local residents. During the visit, she inaugurated the “Tanoor” bakery after its renovation within the central market, and reviewed the initiative to house bakeries, a Tanoor oven, and a pharmacy within the same facility.

Dr. Al-Huwail praised the society’s pioneering experience, which is the first of its kind to provide bread and a Tanoor oven inside a central market. She emphasized the importance of cooperative societies continuing to develop their services and facilities, enhancing performance and service quality to reflect their vital role in meeting societal needs and supplying essential goods in an organized and appropriate manner. She stressed the need to develop central markets and promote the concept of integrated services, thereby saving consumers time and effort, keeping pace with developments in display and preparation methods, and strengthening public trust in cooperative societies. She affirmed that ongoing field monitoring would continue to drive the development of cooperative activities.

She noted that renovating the “Tanoor” bakery helps ensure the continued provision of essential services to members and visitors in a modern manner that aligns with current trends and meets diverse tastes. She expressed her appreciation for the society’s management team, citing the high standards of cleanliness, order, internal organization, and product presentation she observed. Dr. Al-Huwail also visited the society’s pharmacy, commending the high level of organization and the quality of services provided through this vital and important health facility.

On his part, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Financial and Administrative Affairs and Cooperation Affairs, and Director General of Planning and Administrative Development at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Dr. Sayed Issa, stated that the experience would be expanded to include the development of all Tanoor bakeries across various cooperative societies. This would offer a diverse range of products, such as whole wheat bread, gluten-free and sugar-free options, and other fillings, thereby enhancing the nature of services provided to members.

Dr. Sayed Issa confirmed that the price of “Tanoor” bread would remain fixed at 20 fils per loaf. He noted that the Tanoor is part of Kuwait’s heritage, and therefore efforts were made to modernize it to suit all tastes, whether located inside or outside the society’s central market.