MoCI decides to lift ban on import of onions from Egypt
Bid to resolve crises
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 16: Ministry of Commerce and Industry has decided to lift ban on the import of onions from Egypt as a step toward resolving crises incited by the skyrocketing prices of onion in less than 24 hours, reports Al-Rai daily.
Months ago, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry banned the import of Egyptian onion after it was found to contain remnants of insect repellent exceeding standard specifications. Sources said recent samples affirmed that onions imported from Egypt are safe and contain the acceptable rate of harmful substances.
They said lifting the ban on Egyptian onion will help restore balance in the market, especially as its share in the Kuwaiti market is 40 percent. They are expecting the onion to reach Kuwait within two days. It is noteworthy the Minister of Commerce and Industry formed an emergency team and gave instructions to find ways of ending the crisis.
Meanwhile, Head of Foodstuff Traders and Manufacturers Association Abdullah Al-Be’aijan said 200 trucks carrying 600 tons of fruits and vegetables are put away due to delay in the results of laboratory testing by the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition.
He added the samples exceed capacity of the laboratories and the natural traits of the goods have been changed due to the long wait, and making them unsafe for human consumption.
Assistant Undersecretary at the Committees Secretariat of Cabinet Saleh Al-Mulla has sent a message to Kuwait Municipality concerning the redistribution of administrative and services locations for Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate in the Central District (Subhan), reports Al-Qabas daily.
Al-Mulla noted the Public Services Committee, during a meeting held on September 18, deliberated on a letter from the Army Command concerning the decision of Kuwait Municipality to redistribute administrative offices for branches of the ministries and government agencies to serve Mubarak Al-Kabeer at the Central District. He noted the command requested allocation of the entire place for the Ministry of Defense based on justifications presented by the ministry.
Upon thorough deliberation, the committee obliged the Municipality to coordinate with concerned authorities in that regard, so they can all study the request together. He emphasized the request should be considered in all technical and administrative ramifications.