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News Summary Report Mon/ Dec 17, 2018
Domestic Affairs
Inauguration of the New Amiri Hospital Tower Next Thursday: Minister of Health Minister of Health, Sheikh Dr. Basel Al-Sabah declared that the project of the New Amiri Tower shall be inaugurated next Thursday, adding that the future view for managing health projects shall be different from the past.
He remarked that there are new plans to run new hospitals, including Al-Jahra hospital and Jaber Hospital. Al-Anbaa
Kuwait Airways inaugurates premium lounge at T4 building
Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) inaugurated yesterday the new state-of-the-art Bayan lounge at the Terminal 4 (T4) building, which is dedicated exclusively to first and business class passengers. The opening was held in presence of Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s Chairman Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud Al-Sabah.
KAC is keen on enhancing Kuwait International Airport, keeping up with latest developments, and preserving Kuwait’s well-regarded international reputation, Sheikh Salman said in a statement.
He expressed his gratitude to KAC and all its staff for making a quantum leap in the national carrier’s services to travelers, wishing the Corporation further progress and development.
Meanwhile, KAC’s Chairman Yousef Al-Jassem stated that opening the new premium lounge is one of the corporation’s latest accomplishments and part of its efforts to enhance its various services. The highly efficient lounge was constructed and completed within just 70 days, Jassem noted, adding the project was implemented in coordination with the South Korean- based Incheon International Airport Corporation.
The KAC-Incheon coordination would attain DGCA’s goals in making T4 building a role model for modern airport administrations, he said. Such significant achievements are part of implementing the directions of His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince, and His Highness the Prime Minister to swiftly complete and achieve all services, added the executive official. Furthermore, he affirmed KAC’s continued keenness to improve its services and keep up with the latest aviation inflight entertainment- Kuwait Times
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Economy
KNPC eyes projects worth $5.2 billion in next five years
The total value of projects set to be carried out by Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) in the next five years hits around $5.2 billion, its CEO Mohammad Al-Mutairi said yesterday.
The aforementioned value excludes expenses for the company’s clean fuels project, which will push that figure up to $25 billion by the year 2040, he said on the sidelines of a ceremony to mark a decade after KNPC launched its sustainability program.
He labeled Kuwait’s planned Dibdibah solar power plant as among the company’s marquee projects, with 70 percent of expenses covered by foreign funds and 30 percent coming from domestic sources. Mutairi put a two-year timeframe on the project, which is likely to boost Kuwait’s renewable energy to 160,000 barrels per day, citing plans to build a new refinery in the south of the country.
“We were the first company in the Gulf region to publish a report over sustainability,” he revealed, saying that KNPC has set a benchmark in the oil and gas industries. Sustainability reports help companies assess their level of commitment to legal, environmental and economic standards, KNPC’s Managing Director of Support Services Nasser AlShamma explained. He went on to say that several companies have started producing sustainability reports as well, following in KNPC’s footsteps. Kuwait Times
Non-oil exports up to 25.2% in Nov: Ministry
Kuwait’s non-oil exports went up to 25.2 percent in November compared to November 2017, Kuwait’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry said yesterday.
Total exports were about KD 13.4 million (approximately $44 million) during November compared to KD 7.9 million (around $26 million) November 2017, the ministry said in a press statement. Arab countries accounted for 83 percent of Kuwait’s total exports with KD 11.1 million (about $36.4 million).
The rest of the world accounted for 17 percent with KD 2.2 million (about $7.2 million). Qatar was the highest ranked country to import at KD 4.3 million (approximately $14 million), after that Saudi Arabia with KD 2.6 million (about $8.5 million). Next is Iraq at KD 1 million (around $3.2 million), then Jordan with KD 733,000 (about $2.4 million), followed by Lebanon with KD 639,000 (approximately $2 million), then Morocco with a value of KD 9,300 (about
$30,000). Food, utensils, furniture, tents, livestock and material such as wool, metal doors, and glass fibers were most of the exports to Arab countries.
With regards to Kuwaiti exports to non-Arab countries, Italy was the largest importer with KD 1.6 million (around $2.5 million), then Portugal with KD 187,000 (about $614,000), after that France with KD 127,000 (about $417,000) and Spain with KD 95,000 (approximately
$312,000). Kuwait also exported to Greece, Poland, Tanzania, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Guinea and Benin, worth overall KD 142,000 (about $466,000). Polyethylene, lye,
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silicon, plastic granules, sweets and chicken were mostly exports to non-Arab countries.
Kuwait Times
External Affairs
Military Cooperation and Defense Projects: Kuwaiti-British Committee
Deputy Prime Minister, Khaled Al-Jarallah confirmed that the meetings of the joined Kuwaiti- British Group contributes in enhancing the relations between the two countries in the various fields.
Al-Jarallah added after the meetings of the Joint Steering Committee yesterday that the 13th meeting tackled issues of economy, commerce, education, investment, security and health.
Moreover, conditions in Yemen, Syria, Gulf and Iranian relations were investigated.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press statement that both parties expressed their comfort to the size of military cooperation between the two countries and current talks on the various defense cooperation projects by means of providing support to the Kuwaiti army and enhancing its capabilities and readiness. Al-Anbaa
UK Minister: Kuwait Plays Integral Role in Global Peacemaking Mediation
The State of Kuwait plays an integral role in promoting peace and security both on the regional and international levels, British Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt said Monday.
Speaking to KUNA in an exclusive interview, Burt commended efforts by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in mediating the crisis in the GCC region.
He indicated that the UK would support all steps to resolve the dispute amongst GCC brethren and hopefully a solution would be reached by 2019.
In regards to cooperation with Kuwait, the British official said that he had signed an action plan with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Khaled Al-Jarallah during the 13th Meeting of the Kuwait-British Joint Steering Group yesterday.
During the Group's meeting, the two sides agreed to beef up mutual official visits and reactivate all signed agreements, as well as address obstacles.
Meanwhile, he lauded the role played by Kuwait in addressing the crisis in Yemen especially the recent Kuwaiti efforts facilitating the presence of Yemeni parties at UN-sponsored political consultations in Stockholm, Sweden.
He affirmed that Britain supports efforts by the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, hoping that the meetings in Sweden would result in a solution for the crisis.
In regards to Syria, the British official commended the exceptional role played by Kuwait regarding the crisis there.
It is very important to vote in favor of a motion to support Syria in the upcoming meeting for the UNSC later this week, said Burt who affirmed that it was essential for the global community to support efforts by the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura to find a political
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solution to the Syrian crisis. KUNA
Kuwait FM Hosts Dinner Banquet to Visiting German Counterpart
Kuwait Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah hosted on Sunday a dinner banquet in honor of visiting German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas and his accompanying delegation at the Foreign Ministry.
The banquet was attended by Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, President Ali Al- Ghanim, Chairman of the Parliament Foreign Committee MP AbdulKarim Al-Kandari and MP Abdullah Al-Enezi. KUNA
His Highness the Amir Congratulates Bhutan on National Day
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent Monday a cable of congratulation to King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan on the advent of his country's national day.
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. KUNA
First Deputy Prime Minister Conveys A Message from HH the Amir to the Chinese President on Enhancing Strategic Partnership
Our Ambassador to the Popular Republic of China, Sameeh Hayat held a luncheon on the honor of the envoy of HH the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Shaikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of his visit.
Sheikh Nasser Al-Sabah arrived to the capital of China, Beijing in an official visit. “ Sheikh Nasser has a written message from HH the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the Chinese President, Chi Gen Beng related to enhancing mutual cooperation and strategic partnership between Kuwait and China”, said Ambassador Hayat.
Hayat confirmed according to the statement that “ Kuwait Vision 2035” and “ the Belt and the Road Initiative” are in harmony with each other.
He remarked to the readiness of the leadership of both countries to accelerate cooperation between them by means of implementing agreements and MOU signed between them. Al- Anbaa
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Sources:
KUNA: http://www.kuna.net.kw/Default.aspx?language=en
Al Rai
: http://www.alraimedia.com/Kuwait Times: http://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/
Al-Jareeda: http://www.aljarida.com/
