Tue, Dec. 24, 2019
News Summary Report EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Secretariat Continues Efforts to Boost Joint Gulf Action – GGC Chief New Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Naif Al-Hajraf pledged to work with the Secretariat staff to continue the sincere efforts aiming to push ahead the joint Gulf action.
Al-Hajraf made the statement on Monday while he was received by Dr. Abdullatif Al-Zayani, the outgoing Secretary General of the GCC, the secretariat said in a statement.
During the meeting, Al-Zayani congratulated Al-Hajraf on being appointed as GCC chief wishing him all success in the duties and responsibilities he will take to promote the joint Gulf action and lauding the sincere efforts by the secretariat staff aiming to boost the march.
Al-Hajraf thanked Al-Zayani for the warm reception, expressing his pride for the blessing of the GCC leaders for him in taking the responsibility of the secretariat.
He stressed that unified and concerted efforts help meet the aspirations of the GCC leaders and materialize their visions regarding the GCC march, according to the statement.
KUNA
HH Amir’s UN ‘humanitarian’ leader award ‘well-deserved’: UNGA chief Newly-elected United Nations General Assembly President Tijjani Muhammad- Bande said His Highness the Amir of Kuwait’s UN humanitarian leader accolade was “well-deserved” due to the country’s “remarkable” global humanitarian record. Discussions he held with officials, amid a visit to Kuwait, focused on how the country could support countries in need, individually or through collective efforts with other nations, he told KTV at UN House.
The UN official’s discussions with His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah also touched on support Kuwait extends to UN agencies. Kuwait has “taken the lead” for many years on humanitarian issues worldwide, particularly through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic
Development initiatives, said the Nigerian diplomat, who was elected UNGA President in June, this year.
As a current member of the UN Security Council, Kuwait’s efforts are “important for all of us,” he pointed out, particularly its “engagement” with other member countries on crucial issues.
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was handed the honour for his “exemplary humanitarian leadership” by former UN chief Ban Ki-moon at a ceremony in New York in 2014. Meanwhile, Muhammad-Bunde’s visit to Kuwait saw him giving a speech at the Kuwait Diplomatic Institute, where the UN official listed several matters he viewed as priorities amid his one-year term.
The peaceful settlement of disputes through conflict prevention and cooperation, the inclusion of women, youth and the disabled, poverty eradication and urging nations to commit to climate action were amongst the topics of his address.
Speaking to KTV, he also alluded to the importance of “partnerships” between nations to solve shortages one nation might face compared to others. Where one nation lacks resources, another, with an abundance, may provide, he suggested.
Arab Times
CONOMY
E
Kuwait, Saudi Arabia to Ink “Al-Khafji” and “Al-Wafra” Treaty Today Kuwait and Saudi Arabia will ink today return of production treaty from the mutual oilfields in the neutral zone between the two countries.
According to official oil sources, inking of the treaty will be done by Saudi Minister of Energy HH Amir Abdul Aziz Ben Salman and Kuwaiti Minister of Oil Dr. Khaled Al-Fadhel at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 12 PM.
Sources stated that the program of inking the treaty will be followed by a visit of delegations to HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad at 1 PM, and then a luncheon on the honor of the participating delegations.
Then a tour of the joint operations’ region in Al-Wafra will be organized at around 2 PM.
Al-Anbaa
Kuwait Finance Minister Briefs Cabinet About Contracts’ Hurdles
Minister of Finance Mariam Al-Aqeel on Monday briefed the Cabinet about a final report prepared by the commission for examining contracting measures for government departments, shedding light on main obstacles at this level.
Al-Aqeel, who doubles as Acting Minister of State for Economic Affairs, addressed the ministers during the weekly session, held at Seif Palace, about key recommendations aimed at tackling shortcomings and hindrances that delay projects’ execution.
She also presented the executives, during the session chaired by HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, with proposals by competent authorities to deal with these issues.
Among the proposals is conducting studies on legislations that regulate contracts, applicable ideas to shorten red tape and minimize bureaucracy, in addition to suggestion on transactions at government departments and coordination among authorities to ensure ventures’ speedy execution.
KUNA
Kuwait Cabinet Lauds Stock Exchange Growth
Kuwait, Dec 23 (KUNA) – Kuwait Stock Exchange’s indices have recorded collective gains before the national bourse is set to shift to “emerging market”
status on investment research firm Morgan Stanely’s rankings next year, Commerce Minister Khaled Al-Roudhan told the Cabinet on Monday.
The Cabinet hailed the progress as a “positive step” towards luring more foreign investment into Kuwait, which in turn, would help transform the country into a regional “financial hub”.
KUNA
CBK Issues Tawarruq Bonds Worth KD 200 mln
The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) issued on Monday KD 200 million ($ 657 million) worth of tawarruq bonds, said a statement.
In a statement obtained by KUNA, the CBK announced the most recent issues of bonds related to tawarruq would be for three months with rate of return of 2.750%.
The Central Bank of Kuwait issued bonds with a total value of KD 280 million ( about $ 924 million) on December 9 for a period of six months, and a rate of return 2.875 %.
KUNA
Kuwait’s Budget “Launchpad” for Economic Reforms - - Minister
Kuwait, Dec 23 (KUNA) – Kuwait’s state budget will be “Launchpad” for a spate of economic and financial reforms, the country’s Finance Minister Mariam Al- Aqail said on Monday.
Speaking to reporters, the minister said she would begin outlining plans aiming to bring a myriad of economic reforms to fruition, saying the country is at the cusp of a very critical juncture.
On plans to nationalize Kuwait’s private sector, Al-Aqail, who doubles as minister of State for Economic Affairs, said the process has slowed due to
She went on to say that the “partnership” between Kuwait’s private and public sectors will form the focal point of national development plans.
KUNA
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
Promotion of Boursa Kuwait is a Great Achievement Supporting Our Economy: HH the Amir
His Highness the Amir received at Bayan Palace yesterday Deputy Chief of the National Guard Sheikh Mesha’al Al-Ahmad.
Moreover, HH received Chief of the Anti-Corruption Authority, Consultant Abdulrahman Al-Nimsh and Chief of the Administrative Audit Authority in Egypt, General Shrief Seif Al-Dein on the occasion of his visit to the State of Kuwait.
Further, HH the Amir received Minister of Commerce and Industry Khaled Al- Roudhan and Chief of Board of Commissioners, the Executive Manager of Capital Markets’ Authority, Dr. Ahmad Al-Melhem, and the Executive Chief of Boursa Kuwait Company Mohammad Al-Osaimi and members of CMA on the occasion of the announcement of Morgan Stanley (MSCI) of promotion of Boura Kuwait to emerging markets.
HH the Amir commended exerted efforts to do this great achievement, which will support the national economy and enhance its rank locally and internationally and promote Kuwait capital market worldwide.
Al-Qabas
Our Priority is Comfort of Citizens: Al-Khaled to Ministers
His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, the Prime Minister confirmed during the Cabinet meeting yesterday that the first priority of the Cabinet is to translate the instructions of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad by enforcing procedures in reality through practical steps and within a short period of time.
Informed sources told Al-Anbaa that there are many practical conceptions of implementing the instructions of HH the Amir, including dedication of an open day at each ministry to receive citizens as in the case of the ministry of interior.
Sources added that this step will solve the problems of citizens and enable leaders to facilitate procedures that are proven to be obstacles, and also to change and update regulations.
Moreover, sources confirmed that both the Cabinet and the National Assembly put the nation’s interest as a priority to them.
Al-Anbaa
Operations at Kuwait Airport as Regular
Power outage at Kuwait International Airport earlier on Monday “had little effect” on one of the passenger terminals and happened for a brief duration”, the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation affirmed.
Saleh Al-Fedaghi, the deputy director general for Kuwait International Airport Affairs, said in a statement that air navigation proceeded regularly, adding that technicians tackled the electrical cut according to an emergency plan for such situations.
The power outage happened at the airport and a number of residential districts earlier today. It was caused by fire that erupted at a main relay station in the district of Ummariyah.
KUNA
Participation in Eliminating South Saad Al-Abdullah Obstacles: Al-Otaibi to Al-Anbaa
The assistant undersecretary for electrical distribution networks, engineer Mutleq Al-Otaibi announced that the Ministry is about to complete the electric network of chicken project at Al-Shaqaya region in a bid to start operation of the site.
Al-Otaibi said in a special statement to Al-Anbaa that his sector is preparing the site dedicated by the state for Nayef Chicken Company in a bid to transfer it from South Saad Al-Abdullah region, remarking that this step is in view of eliminating obstacles facing the establishment of South Saad Al-Abdullah City as
transference of the chicken project from the region will allow initiating implementation of the city.
Further, he added that the ministry is doing intense efforts to complete the infrastructure of electric grids in Al-Shaqya in order to accelerate implementation of the project and complete it in its due time.
Moreover, he pointed out that the achievement percentage exceeded 50% and that work is as planned in order to facilitate transference of this project to the dedicated area.
Al-Anbaa
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