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Commerce ministry denies removing items from subsidized goods list |
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Wednesday, 02 September 2009 10:38 |
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The Ministry of Commerce and Industry yesterday denied reports that it had removed a number of products from the list of subsidized items sold
to citizens through special outlets at most Cooperative Societies.
Mohammed Khalaf Al-Enezi, the ministry official in charge of the distribution of subsidized goods, also stressed that the development of this process, which started two years ago, is still in full swing.
Reports in some papers of removing recently added items such as poultry and cheese and of reducing additional quantities of construction material, namely steel and cement, are completely unfounded.
The official stressed that the ministry had merely withdrawn its previous request for an increase of subsidies, which was earlier presented to the cabinet, in view of a fall in the prices of most commodities on the world market, which he explained had reduced the cost of their inclusion for distribution to citizens through the ration cards.
Al-Enezi said that the same items will continue to be distributed in the same quantities, with further additions of new items as of this month, including baby milk, and better quality rice being introduced as of next month. Coordination is also continuing with the co-ops to open new distribution outlets, he added.
According to ministry figures, 1.475 million individuals, both nationals and residents, are currently registered as being qualified to benefit from the distribution of subsidized goods, with 170,000 cards being distributed at present.
Kuwaittimes
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