‘Crisis of mullet fish caused by MoC lax in duties, ignoring study results’

Call to probe cases of fraud, monitor performance

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 13: The recent crisis of mullet fish revealed that the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) is lax in its duties and has not taken any executive measures to find sustainable solutions to the problems during the auction at the markets, because it has ignored the results of a detailed study which was made in December 2015 by the Competition Protection Agency, affiliated to the Minister of Commerce, to improve the performance of these markets, reports AlJarida daily.

The study, which was prepared by the agency in collaboration with the World Bank Group, showed that the current practices at the auction markets shows the failure to put down rules and regulations to ensure fair competition in the market, and the lack of these rules to determine the responsibilities of the competent authorities, as well failure to apply them effectively.

The study which addressed the reasons leading to abnormal price increases called on the Ministry of Commerce to issue licenses to brokers selling fish and shrimp, and monitor their performance, and investigate cases of fraud if prices are raised without justification.

It concluded with several recommendations, including the definition of a clear set of guidelines that encourage competition in accordance with international practice, the design criteria for the organization of fish market auctions, the strengthening of the role of the Ministry of Commerce as a central authority, the completion of the role of the Municipality after the completion of inspection of fish after arrival into the market, as well as continuing the current role of both the Ministry of Health and the Coast Guard, and Ministry of Commerce to appoint auction managers.

The recommendations also included improving the processing and spatial organization of the three auction sites, removing or easing restrictions on fishermen to access the market, increasing transparency, appropriately registering and identifying actual bidders, identifying and organizing a number of steps prior to the auction, and strengthening the way in which prices are offered according to best practices.

Trespasser held:

Police have detained for interrogation an unidentified Kuwaiti for attempting to break into the chalet of a member of the ruling family, reports Al-Rai daily.

He was seized by the security men. When asked for his ID he only muttered ‘I want to sleep’.

The man was caught as he entered the kitchen door overlooking the outside of the chalet and during interrogation he said he did not intend to steal anything.

He added, he only wanted to take rest and get up early in the morning and move on. A case of trespassing on private property has been filed against him.

Indian arrested:

A retired major-general has filed a complaint with the police accusing an Indian of insulting him, reports Al-Rai daily.

According to the complainant this happened over the priority right to drive after which the latter got down from his car and humiliated the retired senior officer.

The retired official then called the Operations Room of the Interior Ministry which linked him to the police station of the area and he provided police the location of the area and number plate of the Indian’s car.

The Indian has been arrested and a case has been filed against him. Police are investigating the matter. Director General of General Customs Administration Consultant Jamal Aljelawi announced the launch of preparations for inaugurating Radiation Observation Project at the customs checkpoints, based on the strategic plan of the administration for the year

2019/2020.

In a press release, he affirmed that the aim of the project is to protect the country from the dangers of illegal smuggling of valuable antiques and illicit items through early detection.

Aljelawi added that the observation centers will be present in Shuwaikh, Doha and Shuaiba ports as well as Nuwaiseeb and Salmi border checkpoints.