Cairo: Kuwait has closed six transport companies for having illegally shipped state subsidised food items outside the country, according to a media report.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry said that legal procedures are being taken against the firms to be transferred to the commercial affairs prosecution for violating regulations.
Governmental teams have inspected land, air and maritime shipping firms across Kuwait to ensure they do not handle subsidised goods, the ministry added, according to Al Rai newspaper.
As part of the inspection tours, six such companies were found to have planned to ship subsdised food that were seized for legal action, the ministry said.
According to Kuwaiti law, it is illegal to export goods heavily subsidised by the state. Violators face jailing penalties and business shutdown.
The ministry said it will not be lax in taking legal action against shipping firms violating the ban. “Smuggling the state subsidised goods is a crime that threatens national security,” it added.