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A number of citizens and experts have criticised the way in which some government companies “dominate” the market and enjoy “monopoly”, local Arabic daily Arrayah has reported. |
They have also pointed to private companies being “prevented” from creating a competitive environment in terms of pricing, quality and diversity of commodities and services, the report states.
The citizens said companies such as Karwa, Widam, Woqod and others, which receive support and privileges from the State, are “dominating” the market without any competition. They also told the daily that despite the support received by them, such companies have “failed” to develop the services provided to the public as they enjoy monopoly, according to the report.
Referring to Widam, they said the company has “failed” to develop itself and its various projects and has not been able to achieve the development of animal wealth, a fall in prices and other things, the report states.
Karwa, they said, has “monopolised” the transport sector but some of its services are limited to the staff of organisations and school students, leaving other passengers to suffer by having to wait on the roads. Also, its services do not cover many areas, they point out in the report. There are also several complaints about the behaviour of taxi drivers who put the lives of other motorists at risk in their reckless rush to make more money.
Regarding Woqod, the citizens and experts said the company does not have adequate number of fuel stations, which leads to overcrowding at the existing stations.
They also point to the “monopoly” enjoyed by the company in terms of car washing facilities and gas cylinders, the report adds.
They claimed that the government’s direct or indirect establishment and management of service-oriented firms prevent investments by the private sector, according to the daily.
Further, they stressed that the economic and financial openness desired by the State is closely linked to greater competition, prevention of monopoly and providing the private sector with good opportunities to set up service-oriented companies in a competitive environment, the report further states.
