KUWAIT: News reports quoted officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry who stated that the prices of various commodities in the country will remain high until 2015. According to representatives from different co-operative societies in Kuwait, however, prices have not increased recently. On the contrary, a Kuwait Times investigation report shows that most of the co-operative societies currently hold special offers and discount prices on various goods.

The Qadisiya Cooperative Society provides discounts of up to 35 percent on 75 different kinds of consumer goods, "The market is not stable, and as we know, prices are affected by supply and demand," said Ramadan, an employee in Qadisiya Cooperative Society. "I can't say how it will change. I know that our prices are not high and we are reducing prices. Also, we have many attractive discount offers on food stuff, cleaning goods, paper products and others," he told the Kuwait Times in a telephone intervie
w held on Thursday.

Special offers and discount prices are also available at the Khaldiya Cooperative Society which launched special attractive packages and offers two days ago. "It's not true that the prices are high or increasing. We have had a sale for one week. We are offering discounts that range between 15 and 20 percent on approximately 30 products," explained Mohammed Omar from the Khaldiya Cooperative Society.

He went on to add that speculations of price rise during the Holy Month of Ramadan is unfounded, "The prices drop during Ramadan, especially on popular food products that are specially consumed during this month. The prices are in normal range, and I don't expect them to rise," he added.

Abu Mohammed from Al-Rawda Cooperative Society also denied any price increase. "The Rawda Co-op is offering monthly discounts on some chosen products that vary each month. This offer is usually valid from the 20 to the 30th day of each month. It usually reaches about 20 percent on various consumer products," he said. "Sometimes, we even hold discounts that reach up to 100." According to him, prices during Ramadan are expected to remain the same. He said that the prices usually reduce during the Holy Month.


Al-Sabahiya Cooperative Society is also offering discounts on many products that touch 40 percent. According to Husam, from the Sabahiya Cooperative Society, it is offers discounts discounts on tea, rice, cleaning products and many others. "During the beginning of next month, we have also had attractive offers. Prices reduce drastically before the Holy Month of Ramadan," he stressed. - Kuwait Times