Wed, Jan 20, 2021
News Summary Report External relations
Kuwait’s Amir Congratulates Central Africa Pres. On Re-election
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Wednesday sent a cable of congratulations to the President of Central Africa Faustin-Archange Touadera on his re-election for a new term in the top office.
In the cable, His Highness the Amir wished President Touadera good health and further promotion for the good ties between the two friendly countries.
His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Sabah sent similar cables.
KUNA
Foreign Minister Received Copies of Credentials of Ambassadors of Brazil, Vietnam, Cuba and Central Africa
Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad received a copy of credentials of ambassador of the friendly Federation Republic of Brazil at Kuwait Francisco Mawro De Holland at the meeting held yesterday morning at the Diwan of MOFA.
Further, Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad received a copy of the credentials of the ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Kuwait Li Twan Sang during the meeting that was held yesterday morning at the ministry’s diwan.
Moreover, the foreign minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad received a copy of the credentials of the ambassador of the friendly Republic of Cuba to Kuwait Khoseh Louis.
Also, the minister received the credentials of the ambassador of Central Africa to Kuwait Marzouq Isan Daniel.
Al-Anbaa
ECONOMY
Kuwait Oil Price Down $ 1.19 to $ 54.42 pb
The price of Kuwaiti oil went down by $ 1.19 to $ 54.42 per barrel Monday, after being at $ 55.61 pb last Friday, said the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the price of Brent crude went down 23 cents to $ 54.87 per barrel, the same case with the West Texas Intermediate, which went down 19 cents to $ 52.17 pb.
KUNA
Jordan Aspires to Maximize Kuwait’s $ 18 bln Businesses – PM
Jordanian Prime Minister Dr. Bicher Al-Khasawneh affirmed on Tuesday necessity of economic cooperation with the State of Kuwait expressing Amman’s aspiration to lure more Kuwaiti businesses, currently in the range of $ 18 billion.
The premier made the remarks during the reception of the Kuwaiti Ambassador to Jordan Aziz Al-Daihani, against backdrop of the recent Parliament’s granting of confidence to the Cabinet, where the two sides discussed means of enhancing the cooperation in the economic and business sectors.
Al-Daihani in a statement to KUNA after the meeting quoted Premier Al- Khasawneh as lauding volume of the Kuwaiti investments in Jordan; considered the largest among the Arab and foreign businesses, estimating the Kuwaiti investments’ value at $ 18 billion.
Moreover, Al-Khasawneh noted during the meeting the lucrative economic and legislative legislations for entrepreneurs in general, Al-Daihani said, adding that necessity of activating bilateral agreements was underlined during the session.
The $ 18 billion worth of Kuwaiti businesses cover the sectors of tourism, industries, banks, communications, reality and transports.
KUNA
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
Two Kuwaiti Females Infected with COVID-19 – MOH
Two Kuwaiti female citizens who came from Britain were infected with Coronavirus variant, the Ministry of Health announced Tuesday.
The two persons carried out PCR tests before boarding the airplane from Britain but another PCR test conducted upon arrival at Kuwait International Airport showed they were infected with the variant, MOH spokesman Dr. Abdullah Al- Sanad told KUNA.
He explained the two were kept in quarantine and underwent genetic tests, which showed they were infected with the variant. Some countries around the world are taking further measures to prevent spread of the new coronavirus variant, stepping up genetic tests.
Al-Sanad called on the public anew to abide by health conditions like wearing of masks, cleaning of hands, maintaining physical distancing and staying away from people with low immunity. He called on importance of avoiding gatherings, and register for the COVID-19 vaccination.
KUNA
Arrival of “Oxford” Vaccine Soon – Improvement of Vaccine Supply After April
The official spokesperson of the Ministry of Health Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad said that the health condition in Kuwait is good, and that there is a global competition to get COVID-19 vaccine. Further, he added that there are 8 vaccines that got the required approvals.
Al-Sanad asked to continue commitment of health provisions without any negligence, and he urged people with chronic diseases to visit the Ministry of Health website and register on it.
Moreover, he announced during the press conference held at Jaber Hospital with the participation of Pediatrics Consultant Dr. Khaled Al-Saied that two female citizens were infected with the new COVID-19 variant after they arrived from the United Kingdom.
Further, Al-Sanad pointed out that the health teams managed to detect the new variant of COVID-19 in two cases, and this demonstrates that it is important to be committed to the applicable health procedures and the precautionary measures.
Moreover, he said that the process of vaccination is continuing; and that a message will be sent to those who have been vaccinated via a link, and they can print vaccination certificate against COVID-19.
He also indicated that the number of those who will be vaccinated from the Kuwaiti population is two million and 775,000 with exception of some cases.
Additionally, he said that there is a global competition, and delivery for countries will be on shipments. He expressed his hope that “Oxford” vaccine will arrive soon. Moreover, he said that supply of the vaccine will be improved after the month of April. In addition, he said that vaccination of the required number of the population will be within a year. Storage environment is available and no side effects have been recorded, he added.
Meanwhile, Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, and Rheumatism Dr. Khaled Saied said that detection of the two new cases of the new variant of COVID-19 is achieved due to the efforts and follow-up of the public health teams with full transparency.
He pointed out that neglecting commitment of the health precautions may contribute in the spread of another wave of infection. Therefore, all has to be committed to health precautions, remarking that the speed of infection of the new variant is 50% more than COVID-19.
As for analgesics that could be taken in case of feeling the symptoms, he pointed out that there are clear symptoms like rise in a person’s temperature, which is 15% of the patients, however, there are other symptoms like headache or feeling weakness, which differ from a person into another.
When asked if the vaccines protect from the new variant, Dr. Al-Saied said that the antibodies excreted when giving the vaccine protect from the new variant.
When asked if vaccination exempts passengers from PCR certificate, Dr. Al- Saied said that that it doesn’t exempt at present, however as for the symptoms of COVID-19 on those who have been vaccinated, he stressed that there are many persons with no symptoms of COVID-19. He also added that those who have been infected previously have to wait 3 months to take the vaccine.
Moreover, he said that protection of those who are above 75 years old reach 100% in the samples that have been vaccinated. “We are keen on vaccinating them as priority taking into consideration their health condition”, he added Al-Anbaa
Strictness in Enforcing Law Against Those Who Abuse Domestic Labor Recruitment Licenses: the PAM
The Public Authority of Manpower stressed that there is strictness in enforcing the law against those who abuse the license of domestic labor recruitment in a way that breaches the laws.
Sources at the PAM stressed that the law commits owners of domestic labor recruitment offices to keep the domestic labor for 6 months at work, and during
that period, owners of offices have to return the domestic laborer to his/her country and to refund the money to the office owner in case there are obstacles that prevent the domestic labor from doing his work.
Al-Anbaa
PAM Automation System Delays Tax 5,000 with KD 2 Daily Residence Fine
A new mechanism has been launched for assessing the need of employees after the launch of the new automated system, which will be according to certain rules and depending on the type and the area of the business activity.
In another development, about 5,000 expats are now required to pay fines for the delayed renewal of their residency as a result of the disruption of the issuance of work permit procedures due to the activation of service on the “ Ashal” automated system of the PAM, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting sources.
The delayed issuance of work permits and failure to access the link system led to the inability of companies to automatically renew the residency permits of their workers, who must pay KD 2 fine per day of delay. Sources cited the data from the General Department of Residency Affairs in the Ministry of Interior;
stating that about 5,000 expats are considered to have violated the Residency Law under such circumstances.
Sources attributed the issue to the recent amendments that PAM made in its automated system with the aim of switching to an integrated electronic system to eliminate manual procedures gradually starting from Jan 12, when some of the services were launched while others will be completed in the coming days.
The authority has updated system to allow linking of academic qualifications with professions in the labor market, in addition to the amendment of job titles such that the system doesn’t allow the registration of a degree holder whose specialization is not compatible with the job and vice versa.
According to the new system, jobs in the need assessment files are divided into three categories – professions, specializations and academic qualifications.
Therefore, it is not possible to register a university degree holder in a job for a secondary certificate holder.
Arab Times
Sources:
KUNA: http://www.kuna.net.kw/Default.aspx?language=en
Al Rai: http://www.alraimedia.com/
Kuwait Times: http:/36Y5/www.news.kuwaittimes.net/website/
Arab Times: http://www.arabtimesonline.com/news/
MEED: http://www.meed.com/
Al Anbaa: http://www.alanba.com.kw/newspaper
Al-Seyassa : http://al-seyassah.com/
Al-Anbaa: https://www.alanba.com.kw/newspaper/
77777 Al-Jareeda: http://www.aljarida.com/
