Minister tries to defend some traders' interests: MP
KUWAIT CITY, Sept 27: Lawmakers severely criticized Minister of Commerce and Industry Ahmad Al-Haroun's handling of various issues like the price hike phenomenon, Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry issue and others when he came to attend Parliamentary Committee for Finance and Economic Affairs' meeting held to discuss suspicious deals related to Kuwait Investment Company, reports Al-Seyassah daily.
In response to all the allegations, the Minister said "we will never allow any trader monopolize the market or manipulate prices. The ministry is committed to laws and will answer all queries of lawmakers."
He stressed that international market conditions sometimes affect prices, but the ministry strictly enforces law in the local market.
When asked why he failed to implement Cabinet's recommendations about controlling price hikes, Al-Haroun said the Financial Affairs Committee discussed the issue in May in presence of ministry officials, but decided to defer it until a meeting on Sept 28.
Meanwhile, MP Hassan Al-Jowhar accused Al-Haroun of trying to defend some traders and tycoons' interests at the expense of ordinary citizens, and added that the minister is incapable of fighting the skyrocketing prices phenomenon.
His colleague MP Saleh Ashour said the ministry implemented only three out of the 12 recommendations approved by the Cabinet and citizens have started feeling that government is not bothered about citizens' suffering.
"The minister has time until the beginning of the next legislative term to address the problem, after which he will face intense political and parliamentary pressure," he added.
© Arab Times 2010
