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Chairman denies Municipal Council dissolution rumors

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Court compensates oil worker KD 37,000

KUWAIT: Municipal Council Chairman Muhalhel Al-Khaled strongly denied reports about dissolving the municipal council because five of its members are running in the upcoming parliamentary elections. He stressed that as long as there is a quorum, the council will convene and complete its tenure. Khaled also explained that if the members win parliamentary seats, new ones would be elected to replace them if the remaining period of the council’s tenure is over six months. In other news, Kuwait  Municipality’s Public Relations Director Abdul Mohsen Abalkhail said 450 licenses have so far been issued for spring camps through the municipality’s website.

Work injury
The Ahmadi labor court ordered compensating a former oil sector employee working for a private company KD 37,000 including his indemnity and annual leave allowances. In other news, the court of appeal heard a state security case filed against a number of citizens over charges of circulating Musallam Al-Barrak’s speech that got him jailed, said informed sources, noting that the case was adjourned to pass a verdict on Nov 14.

Arab Investment Court
Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Acting Justice Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah will open the Arab Investment Court’s general assembly meeting due to be held at 10:00 am tomorrow. The meeting, organized by the justice ministry, will be held at Radisson Blu Hotel. Informed sources said that a seminar would be held on the meeting’s sidelines under the title of ‘The Arab Investment Court and its Role in Developing Investments’. Speakers will include judiciary members from Kuwait, Algeria, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt and Oman.

By Meshaal Al-Enezi

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Candidate demands reviewing all laws issued in last 10 years

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Hashim confident young Kuwaitis can ‘make a difference’

KUWAIT: Second constituency candidate Salah Al-Hashim talks to Kuwait Times. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: Second constituency candidate Salah Al-Hashim talks to Kuwait Times. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: Parliamentary candidate Salah Al-Hashim has declared he has two main goals for contesting the upcoming National Assembly elections – to promote and apply the rights that are included in the Kuwaiti constitution, and safeguard public funds and increase them. Hashim, a lawyer, is running from the second constituency.

With his legal background, he has already prepared various legislations. “We should be monitoring the spending of public funds by the government. The present waste of funds is a result of the absence of control of the parliament. If I win, I will suggest banning spending any amount without the approval of the parliament,” Hashim told Kuwait Times.

Legislative proposals
“I will demand forming a temporary committee at the parliament to review all laws that were issued during the past 10 years and see if they conform to the constitution, especially these related to freedoms,” he said. “I will also submit a proposal that all legislations should be subjected to the courts. This includes the Kuwaiti citizenship law, which shouldn’t be separate from the judiciary. Also, administrative deportations should be reviewed by the courts, and the same thing applies to places of worship,” he said.

“The legislative power should be supervising these issues, as the three powers should be separated. There should be no excuses such as ‘state sovereignty’ on these issues. According to article 50 of the constitution, the three powers should be separate but cooperative,” stressed Hashim.

Art revival
Hashim wants to bring back the arts, including theatre, music and sports. “We are missing these activities due to the social circumstances. The government was very weak and acquiesced to various pressures and distanced arts from our life. I call for returning drama, singing and sports competitions at schools. I also demand paying attention to historical monuments – for instance, Kuwait Museum hasn’t been refurbished since 1990. I want to strengthen the cultural role of Kuwait. I want to return Kuwait to be the cultural oasis it was in the 1960s and 1970s,” he explained.

“According to article 14 of the constitution, the government should protect arts and music, which is not being applied. Also, article 17 of the constitution says public funds should be protected,” Hashim pointed out.

Expats
“Administrative deportation is illegal. This issue should be reviewed by the court. The expats came to Kuwait to work and help us build it, so we should respect them and not discriminate against them. The court should decide whether or not an expat should be deported, after he gets a chance to defend himself, the same way it’s done all over the world,” asserted Hashim.

Religious freedom
“Expats should feel free to practice their religion. At least, followers of Abrahamic faiths (Muslims, Christians and Jews) shouldn’t be banned from establishing their worship places. Other religions can practice their rituals in their homes. Freedom of religion was enshrined in article 35 of the constitution for everybody living in this country,” he said.

Cremation
“Some non-Muslim expats want to cremate their dead according to their traditions, but they are not allowed to do so, as cremation services are not available here. This option was available in the past, but was later stopped. The country was more tolerant in the past. This is not fair, and they should have a special place to practice this tradition,” Hashim said.

Opposition
Hashim believes the opposition should be back in the new parliament. “We tried the parliament without the opposition and it was worse than before. Their absence was worse than their participation. The past parliament had bad performance. I think the turnover may be around 50 percent, as there are various parties paying to retain the previous members in the parliament,” he charged.

Conclusion
“I’m optimistic that young Kuwaitis between 21 and 30 years old, who make up more than 70 percent of the population, will make a difference. Also, I believe in the strength of women voters who make up around 64 percent of the populace. I trust these two categories. I call upon women not to allow men to exploit their votes for candidates that don’t work for their rights or benefit. I advise all Kuwaitis to vote and not boycott the elections,” concluded Hashim.
By Nawara Fattahova

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Amir to patronize, attend opening of cultural center

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Amir meets Bahraini Energy Minster

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with visiting Bahraini Minister of Energy Sheikh Mohammad bin Khalifa bin Ahmad Al-Khalifa. —Amiri Diwan and KUNA photos

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with visiting Bahraini Minister of Energy Sheikh Mohammad bin Khalifa bin Ahmad Al-Khalifa. —Amiri Diwan and KUNA photos

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah will patronize and attend the opening of Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad cultural center at 10:30 am today. In other news, His Highness the Amir received yesterday at Bayan Palace the visiting Bahraini Minister of Energy Sheikh Mohammad bin Khalifa bin Ahmad Al-Khalifa along with the accompanying delegation. The meeting was attended by Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Acting Oil Minister Anas Al-Saleh. The visiting minister later met with His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

Separately,  His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak met yesterday with head of the protocol of His Highness the Premier’s Diwan, Sheikha Etimad Khalid Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and the team tasked with reviewing the State Audit Bureau (SAB) remarks for the fiscal year 2015-2016. His Highness the Premier hailed the efforts made by all sectors to produce the report which contained no remarks. His Highness also recognized the SAB’s role as an active regulator that offers advice and remarks to different governmental entities to reach better results. – KUNA

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Traffic police remove license plates of cars blocking traffic

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Kuwait Times

Traffic police remove license  plates of cars blocking traffic

Traffic police remove license plates of cars blocking traffic

KUWAIT: The traffic department said article 42 of the traffic law went into effect yesterday, which allows the Traffic Department’s director general to suspend driving licenses or car titles and confiscate license plates of violating cars for a maximum of four months. The department said this move aims to stop obstruction of traffic flows by vehicles. The law also warns a car cannot be driven without license plates.

Accordingly, traffic patrols have already started citing violating vehicles. The department said license plates of 197 vehicles were removed for obstructing traffic. It said a campaign carried out yesterday morning resulted in confiscating 50 plates in Hawally governorate, 38 plates in Capital governorate, 40 plates in Farwaniya governorate, 20 plates in Jahra governorate, 20 plates in Ahmadi governorate and 29 plates in Mubarak Al-Kabeer governorate.

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

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Two citizens arrested with weapons, explosives

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IS-linked suspect arrested in raid on Andalus house

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KUWAIT: A large cache of weapons and explosives are seen after a raid on an Andalus house yesterday

KUWAIT: Security forces raided a house in Andalus yesterday, where a citizen was arrested with a large cache of weapons, grenades and explosives. The man, suspected to be affiliated with the so-called Islamic State group, was identified by his initials N. H. He works for the army’s explosives department at the ministry of defense.

The weapons and explosives were stashed in hard-to-find concrete recesses in the house. Police also found bomb-making guides, directions to prepare car bombs, highly-inflammable chemicals, gas cylinders and a satellite phone, along with images of executions carried out by the terrorist group.

Case papers indicate that investigations by weapons detectives confirmed that the suspect was storing weapons in the house. The place was then raided, which resembled an “explosives and weapons factory”, according to security sources. Further investigations are in progress.

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TV channel referred to prosecution for violating e-media law

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Popular Movement slams government

KUWAIT: Campaigning for the Nov 26 snap elections kicked off with calls from almost all quarters for Kuwaiti voters to elect a strong National Assembly to stop the slide in the country’s political arena, but the hardline opposition group Popular Action Movement (PAM) said the new Assembly will not be able to change anything.

In a hard-hitting statement, PAM, whose secretary general and former MP Musallam Al-Barrak is behind bars, said Kuwait is passing through “the worst era of its history” as corruption and bribery have destroyed state institutions, public funds remain unprotected, the constitution is breached and laws are being used to punish the government’s political opponents.

The statement said public freedoms have been “confiscated” with security authorities targeting the opposition, including former lawmakers, political activists and youth. PAM said the government has become very violent in using oppression, curtailing freedoms, sending opponents to jail and even revoking their citizenships and deporting them.

The movement strongly criticized the dissolved pro-government Assembly, saying it passed legislations to curtail public freedoms like the cybercrimes law, electronic publication law, the political exclusion law, the DNA testing law and others. It charged that the government made an “alliance with some corrupt merchants … and wanted to make the pockets of the people as the source of alternative incomes through the so-called economic reforms charter”.

PAM said there are no indications of any improvement in the political life with the government’s continued total domination. It also reiterated its boycott of the forthcoming election to confirm its rejection of the single-vote system, but did not oppose other opposition groups and individuals who decided to end their boycott and take part in the election.

About 30 members of the opposition filed their nomination papers to take part in the polls, ending a four-year boycott after the government unilaterally amended the voting system in 2012. Former Islamist opposition MP Hamad Al-Matar, contesting from the second constituency, said the country now needs a strong Assembly that can restore balance to the political system in Kuwait. “This cannot be achieved unless voters elect the best and most capable representatives to practice their legislative and monitoring roles and defend the gains attained by the Kuwaiti people,” he said.

He said that the people should not be made to shoulder the burden of the mistakes of the governments which failed to manage the economy and diversify sources of income. Matar, a member of the Islamic Constitutional Movement, said the people have a golden opportunity to rebuild the legislature on strong foundations by electing strong and dedicated lawmakers. He said the next Assembly represents a “key juncture in the history of Kuwait amid a deterioration in the economy, services and democracy”.

Member of the dissolved house Abdullah Al-Turaiji said voters should realize the security threats surrounding the country by electing lawmakers capable of tackling such threats. He said he will continue what he had started in the previous Assembly by following up economic issues, safeguarding public funds and confronting forces of corruption.

Former justice minister Yacoub Al-Sane, running in the third district, called on Kuwaiti voters to take into account the requirements of the current period and give priority to national interests. Veteran former liberal MP Abdullah Al-Nibari said he believes that the next Assembly will not be much different from the dissolved one because a large number of its members will be reelected. Nibari’s liberal Kuwait Democratic Forum has decided not to take part in the election.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information referred a private satellite channel to the general prosecution yesterday for breaching the law pertinent to announcement of results of consultative elections in a constituency. The ministry in July began implementing law no. 8/2016 on regulating electronic media, which was approved and published in the state’s official gazette in February. The new law regulates all Web-based publications including electronic news services, bulletins, websites of newspapers and televisions, etc. Under the legislation, all these services must obtain a license from the government before they can operate.

The first article of the electronic media law tackles activities that includes publishing or broadcasting items and electronic content that is produced, developed, upgraded, dealt with, broadcast, published or reached through the Internet or any other communications network. The electronic media is considered one of the components of the information system in the country, and the freedom of its use is guaranteed for all according to the rules of this law, and there is no prior censorship on the content circulated via electronic sites and facilities.

A list of licensed websites and electronic media facilities is published on the ministry’s website, providing details of the licenses, the responsible managers, employees and purpose of the website. The executive regulations of this law, which entered into force on July 24, controls polls carried out by licensed websites and electronic media facilities.

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Man dead in Sabhan road accident

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KUWAIT: A man died in an accident reported yesterday morning on the inner Sabhan road. Firemen from the Sabhan Fire Station responded to an emergency call reporting that a vehicle caught fire following an accident and the driver was trapped inside. The victim was pronounced dead and his body was taken to the coroner after firefighters tackled the blaze, Kuwait Fire Service Directorate said in a statement. An investigation was opened to determine the causes of the accident. Separately, KFSD operations received a call about a body floating on the sea, so Salmiya sea rescue center responded. The body of the victim, who was identified as an Indian man, was recovered and handed to the coroner. Meanwhile, a case was filed for investigations.

Election premises
Acting Deputy Director General for Firefighting Sector Affairs and head of the elections committee at the Kuwait Fire Service Directorate Brig Mohammad Al-Mahmeed said there is a comprehensive plan to secure candidates’ election premises, and that preparations for election day are complete. He said candidates’ premises are subject to KFSD conditions, as the candidate or his representative must go to the prevention department to receive preliminary approval allowing him to establish the campaign tent according to the following conditions:
1-    All wirings must be in tubes as stipulated by the Ministry of Electricity and Water.
2-    Provide emergency exits (according to the size of the tent).
3-    Provide emergency lighting in the tent.
4-    Have exit signs.
5-    Not use a heat source inside the tent.
6-    Provide fire extinguishers (as per the tent size).
7-    Leave adequate passages between the seats leading to the main exit as well as emergency exists.
8-    Do not allow smoking in the tent.
9-    Not use wooden floors inside the tent.
10-    The power generator should be at least five meters away from the tent.

Mock drill
The medical emergencies department, in cooperation with fire department, civil defense, explosives department and VIP protection at the interior ministry held an exercise at the Regency Hotel yesterday. The exercise simulated a fire at a wedding hall, which led to the total evacuation of the site as the fire was brought under control. The mock blaze resulted in four injuries – two were treated at the site, while two were transferred to Mubarak Hospital. The fire was brought under control within an hour. Acting Director of the Medical Emergencies Department Munther Al-Jalahma held a meeting to evaluate the exercise as notes were taken.

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

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Center embodies Amir’s support of cultural boom: Info Minister

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Amir thanks officials for finishing project in record time

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (center), His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (left) and Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar attend the event.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (center), His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (left) and Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar attend the event.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir’s patronage of the opening of the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center is a testament to his unbridled support of national culture and arts, Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah said yesterday.

Sheikh Salman, who is also President of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), said that the center is a milestone in the nation’s history and is part of efforts to usher in Kuwait as the “Capital of Islamic Culture 2016.”

Moreover, on the opening of the new cultural center, he said that it is a watershed moment that will induce a cultural boom, thanks to strenuous efforts by His Highness the Amir. He also described the center as a catalyst that will help catapult Kuwait into cultural prominence.

The Minister of Information also noted that the center is a glaring landmark befitting lofty contributions made by the people of the nation, while it serves as further affirmation of the country’s leadership’s belief in culture as a pillar of society. On the edifice itself, he said that it stretches on 214,000 square meters with three stages, in addition to musical and exhibition centers.

Sheikh Salman thanked His Highness the Amir for inaugurating the center, which he described as a bastion of culture and arts that will go a long way to enhance Kuwait’s cultural ties with other Gulf and Arab nations.

Gratitude
Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent cables to Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah, Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr Bader Al-Essa, Amiri Diwan Advisor Mohammad Abdullah Abo Al-Hassan, Amiri Diwan Undersecretary Ibrahim Mohammad Al-Shatti, head of Amiri protocols department Khaled Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah and head of the Amiri Diwan’s Financial and Administrative Affairs Abdulaziz Ishaq for their efforts for carrying out Sheikh Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center in record time.

His Highness the Amir referred to the excellent preparations for the inauguration ceremony with wonderful paintings. His Highness the Amir said that the center would boost and complete artistic, cultural and intellectual march of the dear homeland, adding that it would form a cultural and tourist landmark that attracts citizens, expats and visitors as well.

His Highness the Amir wished every success for all people and prosperity and progress for the dear homeland. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables to the officials. – KUNA

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Disabled citizens’ allowances not suspended: official

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KUWAIT: Director of the Public Authority for the Disabled Dr Shafiqa Al-Awadhi strongly denied intentions to suspend allowances given to disabled citizens and stressed that the opposite was true and that the authority is working on expanding the benefits the disabled get through contacts with various state bodies and training them to become effective in building Kuwait. Speaking on the sidelines of explaining the reassessment process in progress over the disabled files, Awadhi said that law number 8/2010 states the need to reassess all cases whenever possible and according to possible changes to their disabilities, because some cases classified as mild might develop into medium or severe over time. Awadhi added that 10,000 files had been reviewed so far and reassured disabled citizens that what is happening was a merely organizational move because many cases were in violations and others had passed away, while their allowances are still being collected by their family.

Responsibilities
Kuwait Municipality asked the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) and the Public Authority of Industry (PAI) to prepare for shifting the responsibilities withdrawn from the municipality to them as per the Cabinet decision in the new municipality law number 33/2016. In both letters, the municipality’s acting director Abdullah Emadi called for immediate meetings with both bodies to arrange for the transfer. Emadi explained that responsibilities transferred to PAI included issuing licenses and supervising scrap markets, while those transferred to PAAAFR include issuing licenses and supervising poultry, live animals and home aquarium fish.

Barghash’s citizenship
The court of cassation yesterday withheld a request filed to disqualify the judge hearing the case of withdrawing former MP Abdullah Al-Barghash’s citizenship pending a further hearing on Dec 12 to look into the request. Separately, the criminal court yesterday sentenced two bloggers to two years in jail with labor or KD 1,000 bail each to suspend the verdict over charges of blaspheming HH the Amir.  The court also sentenced an IS-affiliated person to eight years in jail with labor.

System update
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced that it is currently updating and automating the subsidized supplies system in order exclude citizens who have died, those holding expired civil IDs or have domestic laborers with expired IDs.

By Meshaal Al-Enezi

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KCCI invites Portuguese companies to join development projects

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KUWAIT: Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) members meet with the Portuguese economic delegation. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) members meet with the Portuguese economic delegation. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has invited Portuguese companies to contribute to Kuwait development projects, executed through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) system. Speaking during his reception of Portuguese economic delegation on Monday, headed by Secretary General of the Arab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Aida Bou-Abdullah, KCCI Board Member Tariq Al-Mutawaa invited Portuguese construction companies to have share in the building and construction projects in Kuwait.

The state’s annual or medium-term development plans comprise a large number of projects in various sectors such as oil, infrastructure, bridges, renewable energy, and food security, he said. He suggested that the entrance of Portuguese companies to the market would transfer Portuguese rich experience and advanced technology in this field to Kuwait.

Meanwhile, Bou-Abdullah pointed out that the Portuguese investors have shown interest in implementing joint ventures with Kuwaiti peers in various domains. She clarified that the delegation would also apprise Kuwaiti investors of a number of investment opportunities in Portugal. She added that the visit is also meant to strengthen bilateral relations and expand mutually beneficial economic and commercial partnerships. – KUNA

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Sweets shops vie to lure voters

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KUWAIT: Hospitality shops are competing during the election campaigns to record a significant presence in the electoral headquarters of the candidates for the parliamentary elections slated for November 26 by offering delicious food, besides hot and cold drinks as well as various Eastern and Western sweets to voters.

Tea and coffee have always been present in all election headquarters, however, chocolates and desserts are starting to compete with the traditional hot drinks of tea and coffee. Sweets shops are beating time to come up with various scrumptious sweets to satisfy the candidates’ tastes who in turn seek to lure voters. — KUNA

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Cabinet urges state departments to adjust their fiscal position

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Ministers condemn Houthis’ targeting of Makkah

KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah chairs the Cabinet’s weekly meeting yesterday. —KUNA

KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah chairs the Cabinet’s weekly meeting yesterday. —KUNA

KUWAIT: The Cabinet reviewed the State Audit Bureaus’ report of the second half of the fiscal year 2015/2016, and urged all state institutions to adjust their fiscal position and heed auditors’ comments and recommendations.

The Cabinet also discussed the fifth annual report of the economic committee of the activities and performance of Kuwait Stock Exchange in the fiscal year 2015/2016 as well as its second annual report on the performance of the National Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises Development.

During its weekly meeting yesterday, the Cabinet reviewed the report of following up the first half of the 2016-2017 plan, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Acting Justice Minister Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah said after the meeting. The government has been making progress in terms of carrying out the laws issued by the National Assembly, compared with that of the last year’s plan, he added. The current plan witnessed a rise in spending by 22.6 percent compared with 19.9 percent of the last year, he noted.

Up to 15 percent of projects listed in the preparatory period of the first quarter of this year were carried out, he said, indicating that some 12 laws out of 40 have been enacted. The cabinet appealed to all ministers to take measures so as to achieve quickly the rest of projects, Sheikh Mohammad said.

Meanwhile, the report of State Audit Bureau for 2015-2016 showed that violations committed by the governmental bodies decreased and this affirms the government’s serious eagerness to address these violations, he said.

Also, the Cabinet listened to a presentation made by Minister of State for Planning and Development Hind Al-Subaih on the development plan follow-up report of the first half the FY 2016/2017 (starting from April 1st to September 30th). In its report, the minister urged all state institutions to accelerate the execution of the plan projects and the finalize the planned draft laws.

Furthermore, the Cabinet reviewed a report submitted by the public services committee about South Mutlaa city projects. The cabinet then assigned the Public Authority for Housing Welfare provide it with a quarterly report about the project development.

Sinful act
In the meantime, the Cabinet has strongly condemned Yemeni Houthi group and forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Salah for firing a ballistic missile towards the Muslims’ holiest city of Makkah. This sinful act is a provocation of Muslims’ feelings, and is showing disrespect of the blessed city, and disregard of Islamic sanctities, the cabinet stressed.
It added that this criminal act is tantamount to an aggression against all Muslims, and represents a grave development in these groups’ defiance of the international community and international efforts to reach a ceasefire to pave the way for a political solution to the civil conflict in the Arab country.

On the other hand, the Cabinet welcomed Saudi security agencies’ success in foiling a terrorist attempt to detonate a booby-trapped car in Al-Jawhra stadium in Jeddah during a football match between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Cabinet wished the sisterly Saudi Kingdom everlasting stability and safety to its people.

Cultural center
At the onset of its weekly meeting, held at Seif Palace yesterday and presided over by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Cabinet lauded the inauguration of Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center as a new achievement reflecting Kuwait’s civilized image. It also noted that various other cultural projects are expected to see light soon.

These cultural achievements boost Kuwait’s image as a beacon of Arab culture and a country embracing creative, talented and intellectual people out of strong conviction in the noble role of culture in nations’ development and renaissance, the cabinet stressed. It has also warmly welcomed Kuwait’s guests who attended the inauguration ceremony of the center.

Letters to Amir
At the advent of the meeting, the cabinet was apprised of two letters sent by Iraqi Prime Minster Haider Al-Abadi to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The two letters focused on bilateral relations and the latest developments in Iraq as well as regional and international issues of common concern.

Meanwhile, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah briefed the cabinet about the outcome of Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven’s recent visit to Kuwait. He also informed the cabinet about the outcome of his participation in the 43rd meeting of the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, held in the city of Tashkent in Uzbekistan and his visit to Germany and talks with German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier to further bilateral cooperation in various domains. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled apprised the cabinet of his official visit to France and his representation of Kuwait in the international conference to support Mosul stability. – KUNA

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Kuwait to start applying VAT in six months

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KUWAIT: Al-Aiban and Ossaimi partner and tax advisory service agent at Ernst and Young (EY) Alok Chugh said Kuwait will start preparing to impose value added tax (VAT) within six months at most, and EY is currently in talks with the finance ministry to provide consultancy services for the project.

Speaking on the sidelines of a seminar organized by the Investment Studies Institute (ISI) in collaboration with EY about VAT, Chugh explained that EY is the tax advisor on VAT for GCC states and that the new tax would be in effect by the beginning of 2018, with educational and banking services and basic foodstuff exempted.

ISI’s acting manager Fadwa Darweesh said the seminar was organized to shed more light on how VAT would be imposed on investment companies and financial establishments in Kuwait. Also speaking at the seminar, tax advisor at EY Doha Jennifer Sullivan said that the VAT value would not exceed 5 percent and that it would be imposed on major companies and exempt small ones.

Member of EY’s Kuwait bureau Waleed Abdulfadheel said VAT implementation in Kuwait would start by the beginning of 2018 and that companies would be given enough time to adjust their accounting systems prior to implementation.

Anti-corruption authority
In other news, first electoral constituency candidate and former MP Ahmed Al-Qudhaibi said that the delay in issuing the organizational charter of the anti-corruption authority proves that the government is corruption’s best friend and advocate. Qudhaibi added that former justice minister Yaqoub Al-Sane had set Oct 10 as a deadline to issue the charter, but nothing was done so far, and thus several ministers, former MPs and senior officials escaped having to disclose their financial statements.

By A Saleh

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Qudhaibi claims govt protecting corrupt people

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‘Restore citizenships’

KUWAIT: Former MP Ahmad Al-Qudhaibi said yesterday that by delaying the application of the anti-corruption legislation, the government has effectively promoted corruption. The government was supposed to have issued bylaws necessary for the anti-corruption law to become effective seven months ago, but it did not, the former lawmaker, who is bidding for re-election, said.

One week before the National Assembly was dissolved, Qudhaibi submitted a request to grill former justice minister Yaqoub Al-Sane for failing to issue the bylaws. The grilling was not debated because the Assembly was dissolved. Failure to implement the anti-corruption law means that former MPs, ministers and senior government bureaucrats were saved from the mandatory submission of their wealth disclosures, said Qudhaibi, adding that “there are some who are trying to protect corrupt politicians and declare them innocent”.

The former lawmaker said that he had warned against holding the Assembly election before issuing the bylaws and applying the anti-corruption law, and questioned if the government wants to protect its candidates in the polls and give them funds without being blamed for interfering in election. Qudhaibi said that establishing the Anti-Corruption Authority was one of the major political reform achievements by the dissolved Assembly, but it remained lacking without it becoming effective. He said that if he gets elected, he plans to submit another grilling of the new justice minister over the same issue.

Former opposition MP and election candidate Al-Saifi Al-Saifi yesterday strongly criticized the government for revoking the citizenship of several opposition figures, saying that the government had done a great injustice to several Kuwaiti families. He said that the government had revoked the citizenships through a decision and can restore them also through a decision. Saifi said the opposition does not plan to create tensions with the government, but if it does not restore those citizenships, he vowed the opposition lawmakers will not remain silent, adding that “we will not rest until the citizenships were returned”.
The former lawmaker warned over the possibility of the government rigging the election like what it did way back in 1967 or by funding some candidates. Saifi called on Kuwaiti voters to take part in the coming election in large numbers in order to ensure that the best people are elected to serve the country and citizens.

Former MP Nasser Al-Marri, running from the fifth district, said the government is looking for a flexible Assembly in a bid to pass its harsh austerity program, adding the dangers of random decisions are greater than those resulting from the fall in oil prices. He held the government responsible for the deterioration in the economic situation and said citizens should not be made to bear the results of its mistakes. He said that economic reforms should start from the government and wealthy people and not from low-income sections. Marri said that “touristic” medical treatment abroad in the past few years cost KD 1.48 billion, which is enough to build several hospitals in the country.

By B Izzak

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Kuwait plans to end subsidies by 2020

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Kuwait Times

kuwait

KUWAIT: Three men wait at a bus stop in Kuwait City. — Photo by Joseph Shagra

KUWAIT/DUBAI: Kuwait, under financial stress due to low oil prices, plans to end all forms of public subsidies by 2020, a report published yesterday said. A committee set up by the finance ministry to review all public subsidies said it plans to gradually reduce subsidies until it ends them completely by 2020, according to the report published by Al-Qabas newspaper. But in a tweet late yesterday, the finance ministry denied it plans to end subsidies.

Public subsidies and social aid are estimated in the current fiscal year’s budget at over $3 billion, about five percent of projected spending. The state has already lifted subsidies on diesel and kerosene which are being priced according to international oil price. In September, Kuwait partially lifted subsidies on petrol sparking a political crisis that led to the dissolution of parliament and calls for new elections. The government had also secured the backing of the parliament before it was dissolved to raise electricity and water prices paid by foreign residents and businesses, but exempted Kuwait citizens.

But the government agreed to compensate citizens for raising petrol prices by offering each driver some 75 liters (20 gallons) of petrol free of charge each month. The hike, ranging from about 40 to 80 percent depending on the type of fuel, went into effect on Sept 1 as part of reform measures to plug a budget deficit resulting from low oil prices. It was the first such increase since 1998. The OPEC member recorded a budget shortfall of KD 4.6 billion ($15.3 billion) in the fiscal year which ended on March 31, according to official figures. Kuwait is projecting a deficit of $29 billion in this fiscal year which started April 1.
Separately, the creation of a single currency in the Gulf region has become inevitable and is only a matter of time, the executive president of Oman’s central bank was quoted as saying. Oman is not one of the countries pushing for a common currency, but “serious measures” are being studied to achieve it, the Saudi Arabian-owned Al Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper quoted Hamood Sangour Al-Zadjali as saying in a statement.

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Amir opens new Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center

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Kuwait Times

KUWAIT: (Top) HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (fifth right), HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (sixth right), Sheikha Moza of Qatar (fourth right), former National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem (fourth left), HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (second left), HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah (right) and other officials attend the opening ceremony of the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center yesterday.

KUWAIT: (Top) HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (fifth right), HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (sixth right), Sheikha Moza of Qatar (fourth right), former National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem (fourth left), HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (second left), HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah (right) and other officials attend the opening ceremony of the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center yesterday.

KUWAIT: Under the auspices of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and with the Amir in attendance, the inauguration ceremony of the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center was held yesterday, featuring a spectacular show that combined international and local music.

The ceremony was attended by HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Qatar’s Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, former National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem, senior sheikhs, HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and other senior state officials.

The ceremony kicked off with the national anthem followed by a speech by the Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah. “Today is a momentous day, as a cultural landmark, the Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center has been opened,” Sheikh Ali said. He added that HH the Amir’s attendance augments the joy of the occasion, noting that the center will be instrumental to the development of the cultural sector in the country. Furthermore, Sheikh Ali said that the nation now enjoys the fruits of its labor, adding that he is confident that similar great achievements will follow. He then thanked the country’s leadership, wishing Kuwait continued prosperity.

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli then performed at the cultural center, which includes a 2,000-seat opera house, the first in the state. Top Kuwaiti singers, artistes and performers took part in the event, which was also attended by a large number of local and foreign dignitaries. The sprawling 214,000 sq m center is located in the heart of Kuwait City and comprises four buildings, a theatre center, a music center, a conference center and a library for historical documents.

The four buildings at the center, whose geometric design was inspired by Islamic architecture, are covered with thousands of square meters of titanium shell. Named after the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad, the center has several state-of-the art halls, including a 1,200-seat concert hall, as well as an indoor parking facility for 3,200 vehicles. The project, designed by SSH firm, was completed in just 22 months. Although Kuwait has been the leader in theatre and television serials in the Gulf region, it did not have a modern theatre. After a short documentary and the musical performances, HH the Amir and HH the Crown Prince were presented with commemorative gifts. – Agencies

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Alghanim Industries concludes sponsorship of Youth Symposium

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Kuwait Times

CEO Omar Alghanim receives event speakers

Omar Alghanim with his guests.

Omar Alghanim with his guests.

KUWAIT: Alghanim Industries, one of the largest privatsely owned companies in the region, concluded its strategic sponsorship of the 5th annual Tmkeen Youth Symposium, which was held under the patronage of the His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on the 25th and 26th of October 2016.

During the second day of the symposium, Alghanim Industries CEO, Omar Kutayba Alghanim, received two of the event speakers: Jeremy Liew, a Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners and a key investor in Snapchat; and Jennifer Boulanger, Head of Global Recruitment at Booking.com. The guests took a tour in the company’s open offices in Al-Hamra Tower and enjoyed the view of Kuwait City from the 73rd floor.

Speaking to his guests, Omar Alghanim said: “One of the reasons we are strong supporters of the Tmkeen symposium is the impact it leaves on the youth of Kuwait. We are a nation of entrepreneurs. This is made evident through our rich seafaring history. I believe that empowering the younger generation is a shared responsibility between the public and the private sector – to inspire youth to take the first step and to start owning their future economic success. Tmkeen is doing a great job by presenting some of the best success stories from around the world here in Kuwait, and we are proud to be part of this initiative.”

The two day symposium held in Arraya Ballroom started with a seminar on “Innovation and Future of Technology”, in which the Head of Public Policy at WeWork, Corey Owens and Vice Chairman of Zain Group, Bader Al-Kharafi discussed their perspectives. Following that, a group of local business leaders participated in a panel discussion on “Leadership Lessons for Entrepreneurs”. And the day was concluded with the Head of Global Recruitment in Booking.com, Jennifer Bolanger, giving a seminar titled “Getting a Startup Team Right”.

The second day of the symposium had a group of young local entrepreneurs engage in a panel discussion titled the “SME’s Journey to Global Success”. And the day was concluded with a seminar titled “Keys to a Successful Viral Startup App” given by the first investor in Snapchat, Jermey Liew.

CEO of Tmkeen Youth Symposium, Ali Al-Ibrahim said: “As we celebrated our 5th anniversary this year, we are humbled with all the support we have been getting from the private sector in Kuwait. Alghanim Industries is one of the companies we turn to for support because we share similar goals of youth empowerment and education. We thank them for believing in us and look forward to more partnerships with them in the coming years.”

Sponsoring the Tmkeen symposium comes as part of Alghanim Industries’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, which is committed to giving back to the community, supporting education and encouraging entrepreneurship. It is worth mentioning that the company is the largest supporter for INJAZ-Kuwait, as it encourages its employees to volunteer regularly in INJAZ’s different programs.

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Amir receives invitation to attend UNESCO summit

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KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit. —Amiri Diwan and KUNA photos

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit. —Amiri Diwan and KUNA photos

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received a joint invitation at Bayan Palace yesterday from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and President of France Francois Hollande to attend a UNESCO-hosted summit for launching an initiative to boost international cooperation in protecting heritage during armed conflicts and of terrorism, to be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, next December. UAE’s Ambassador to Kuwait Rahma Hussein Al-Zaabi and Ambassador of France to Kuwait Christian Nakhle handed the letter.

Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir received First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit and his accompanying delegation. His Highness also received Chairman of Kuwait Banking Association and Chairman of Burgan Bank Majed Essa Al-Ajeel, as well as BNP Paribas’ Chairman Jean Lemierre and his accompanying delegation. The two meetings were attended by Deputy Amiri Diwan Affairs Minister Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah.

Separately, His Highness the Amir received the outgoing ambassadors of Benin Abdo Kabasi and Iraq Mohammad Hussein Bahr Al-Ulum. Later, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received Bahr Al-Ulum in presence of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Head of His Highness the Crown Prince’s Diwan Protocols Sheikh Mubarak Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah was present at the meeting. In the meantime, Highness the Prime Minister met separately with Abul Gheit and Bahr Al-Ulum, in presence of officials from the Foreign Ministry and His Highness the Prime Minister’s Diwan. – KUNA

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Kuwait donates $4 million to UNICEF’s activities in Syria

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Kuwait Times

NEW YORK: Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi hands over the donation’s check to the Executive Director of UNICEF Anthony Lake. —KUNA

NEW YORK: Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi hands over the donation’s check to the Executive Director of UNICEF Anthony Lake. —KUNA

NEW YORK: Kuwait announced it has donated $4 million in support of the activities of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in Syria and surrounding countries. Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi said that he handed the Executive Director of UNICEF Anthony Lake the donation to alleviate the sufferings of Syrian people in need without being biased to any particular party.

Kuwait’s humanitarian contributions reflect the strong bond with UN and its various organizations, he said. Since the outbreak of the crisis in the war-torn country six years ago, Kuwait offered vital and sufficient relief materials through the UN bodies, he added.

The UNICEF’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa in press remarks expressed his appreciation as being one of the largest donor to children affected by the Syrian crisis. With the largest Kuwaiti donation estimated at nearly $5 million, the total donations offered to UNICEF hit USD 139 million since 2013, he said.

Kuwait offered great funding and humanitarian aid to the Syrian crisis in the fields of education, health, nutrition, he affirmed. UNICEF along with its partners succeeded in offering aid to 14 million people in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and Egypt, he added.

UNICEF offered social and psychological support through the initiative of ‘No Lost Generation’ for more than one million Syrian children, he said. The role Kuwait played in rallying international support to the Syrian crisis deserves great appreciation, he added. – KUNA

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Union demands better treatment of Kuwait Airways employees

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Kuwait Times

KUWAIT: Deputy Chairman of Kuwait Airways and its subsidiary companies’ employees syndicate, Captain Fuad Ashour Abbas, strongly criticized what he described as frivolity and futility in dealing with the fate of Kuwait Airways employees and pilots in a way that wastes considerable public funds.

Abbas also accused the former parliament of letting down Kuwait Airways’ pilots, as transferring pilots and employees to some ministries was done regardless of the articles and clauses stated in law number 6/2008, which conditions turning Kuwait Airways into a shareholding company to do so.

In addition, Abbas said that the public sector had no suitable vacancies for the transferred employees and that they had been replaced by non- Kuwaiti staff. He also said that many of the pilots’ rights were lost in the process.

By Meshaal Al-Enezi

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