Page 1 of 10 News Summary Report
Sun /Nov. 18, 2018
Domestic Affairs Minimizing Expats to 50% of the Population
Concerned sources revealed to Al-Qabas that Fatwa and Legislation Department addressed government bodies including Ministry of Commerce and Industry asking its plans regarding establishment of a new committee under the name “the National Committee for Organizing and Managing Population Structure”.
Sources further clarified that the objectives of the committee are summarized in implementing a 7-year-plan as follows:
1- To set the labor plans and policies that are necessary to reach the maximum percent of expats, which shouldn’t exceed 50% of the total population of Kuwait, 24% for each nationality relative to the number of citizens, knowing that the current percentage of expats is 69%.8.
2- To commit concerned authorities to connect education outputs with the targeted percentages in the plan to fill the gap in the labor market from Kuwaiti labor.
3- To replace expat labor with Kuwaiti labor with 10% on annual basis in the government, and a percentage that is not less than 5% in the national labor.
4- To issue organizational decisions that are committing to all organizations and corporations, which recruit labor with the percentages stated by the plan.
5- Launching campaigns to enhance professional, occupational and manual work culture, and motivate Kuwaiti young people to engage in those professions to be a replacement to expats. Al- Qabas
Kuwait Zajel Honors Rain Emergency Committee
Zajel team of volunteers honored the interagency committee on response to heavy rains at a ceremony hosted by the Civil Defense HQ on Saturday.
The emergency committee played an exemplary role in alleviating the impact of the downpour on the country in the recent days, spokesperson of the tem Jenan Al-Qana'e told KUNA.
"Our visit to the headquarters of the committee at the Civil Defense tonight is meant to express gratitude for the members of the committee from various state bodies who helped protect the safety of the public and property," she added.
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Al-Qana'e noted that her team aims to spread the spirit of voluntary humanitarian action among the Kuwaiti youth guided by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah, the Humanitarian Leader. KUNA
Al-Shuaiba Water Plant Drowned from the Downpours and Now Out of Service
Ministry of Electricity and Water called citizens in the Southern region to cooperate with them to reform the deficiency of potable water pumping plant in Shuaiba.
The plant is now out of service due to the rise of rain water levels inside the pumps area, and this led to cutting water from some of the regions related to the Southern region, especially Fahaheel.
Currently, these regions are being fed with alternative sources, and water is being evacuated from the plant to be ready to service again.
Employees at the Ministry of Electricity and Water are continuing their emergency status in order to handle all harms resulting from the heavy downpours during the last few days. This includes operation of electric power plants, water desalination plants, and distribution networks. The Ministry’s call center receives reports and complaints from citizens and expats regarding electricity or water cuts or water accumulations around the ministries’ utilities.
Furthermore, the ministry has dedicated 100 emergency generators to face electric cuts that need more time for repair via the teams related to transportation and distribution networks. Al-Seyassa Resumption of Study at Schools Today: Ministry of Education
Ministry of Education declared resumption of study at schools today (Sunday) at all schools in all educational stages, including kindergarten after rehabilitation of all harmed schools.
Assistant Undersecretary of Education for Educational Development, Faisal Al-Makseed said to KUNA yesterday that the Ministry managed with the efforts of its staff including undersecretaries, managers of regions, and school administrators to reform deficiencies that resulted from the heavy downpours in some schools.
Al-Makseed added that the last few days witnessed persistent follow-up from the Minister of Education, Dr. Hamed Al-Azmi, who gave his instructions of the necessity of continuous work to restructure schools, which were affected by the downpours to avoid any delay in the educational process. Al-Seyassa
Camping season delayed due to effects of stormy weather
The Municipality yesterday announced the postponement of the start of the camping season until further notice from the civil defense committee, which includes several government bodies including the interior ministry, the defense ministry and the municipality.
The committee revised an earlier decision to officially launch the season today. It was cancelled due to the rainy weather conditions that led to the erosion of the soil at some campsites, the municipality said in a press release. The emergence of military remnants was one of the main
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reasons for the delay, in addition to the gathering of water and the collapse of some roads leading to the camping sites.
Local authorities provide a variety of facilities to ensure the success of the camping season, which extends to about four months, including large areas for citizens to set up camps, in addition to establishing public services including security checkpoints and service areas close to the campsites.
This year, the municipality has identified 18 sites with an area of 616 sq km in the north, west and south of the country; therefore, campers can apply for a camping license through the municipality’s website and pay the fees and insurance. The applicant will be able to inspect the land prior to its request to ascertain its suitability for camping, especially after the heavy rains in the country. The applicant will be allowed to submit an application for a maximum area of 1,000 sq m and will be required to pay a nonrefundable municipal fee of KD 50. It is prohibited to burn foliage, damage natural life, construct fences, excavate the land, hunt, kill or destroy shelters of species, and graze livestock in camping areas. Kuwait Times
Amir lauds Kuwaitis’ unity in facing severe weather
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent on Friday a cable of thanks to National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem. His Highness expressed his utmost gratitude and appreciation to the Parliament Speaker and fellow MPs for their cooperation and interaction with aftermath of the stormy weather that hit the country recently.
His Highness the Amir also sent cables of thanks and appreciation to the Chief of Kuwait National Guard His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah and KNG’s Deputy Chief Sheikh Meshaal Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
His Highness also sent similar cables to His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al- Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al- Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh, Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs Hussam Al-Roumi, Health Minister Sheikh Dr Bassel Al-Sabah, Information Minister and State Minister for Youth Mohammad Al- Jabri, Minister of State for Housing Affairs and Minister of State for Services Jenan Boushehri, and Oil Minister and Minister of Electricity and Water Bakheet Al-Rasheedi.
His Highness also sent thanks and appreciation cables to the Director-General of Kuwait Fire Service Directorate Lieutenant-General Khaled AlMekrad and the Director-General of Kuwait Municipality Ahmad Al-Manfouhi. His Highness the Amir reiterated his utmost gratitude and appreciation to the top state officials and fellow employees for all their efforts in dealing with the aftermath of heavy rainfall and storms that swept across Kuwait and the region. He also thanked them for their keenness on preserving public and private properties. His Highness valued such efforts and coordination between various state bodies, pointing out their significant role, dedication, and devotion in working around the clock in light of severe weather conditions. Kuwait Times
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Amir’s Representative Participates at the Commemoration of Inauguration of Saint Paul Church
Representative of His Highness, the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Deputy of the Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs, Sheikh Mohamed Al-Abdullah attended the 70th commemoration of inauguration of Saint Paul Church in Al-Ahmadi Region. Priest, Michael Luis of Cyprus and GCC of the Angelic Church gave a speech lauding the Kuwaiti people, its tolerance and coexistence spirit along history. Al-Seyassa
Italian Air Parade in Kuwait Today
Yesterday the rehearsal of the Italian week event in Kuwait was launched. A rehearsal of the air parade that shall be done by a team of Italian Army pilots, specialized in Frecce Tricolori shows.
The Italian Military Attache, Colonel, Veto Caracas said that all pilots and aircrafts participating in this parade belong to Italian Air Force. The aircrafts are known to Kuwaiti pilots as they have trained on them in Italy.
The parade shall include 346A-T, which is considered as one of the best aircrafts for training, Eurofighter Typhoon, Reparto Sperimentale Volvo, Frecce Tricolori and 10 other aircrafts that shall participate in the parade. Al-Anbaa
KAC Chairman Extols Government’s Efforts during Rainfall Crisis
Chairman of Kuwait Airways Yousef Al-Jasem has appreciated government's efforts in resuming operations at Kuwait International Airport following the recent rainfall crisis.
In a press statement on Saturday, Al-Jassem praised efforts exerted by the government, headed by His Highness the Premier Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, as well as efforts of ministries and various government institutions for address the consequences of the accumulation of rainwater.
He said that Kuwait Airways has done its utmost in these exceptional circumstances, pointing out that six of Kuwait Airways' planes were surrounded by accumulation of rainwater during the past three days, forcing the company to cancel a number of scheduled flights because of the difficulty of operating the fleet and to overcome the crisis.
He explained that full care was given to the passengers according to the company's policy, adding that some 1,330 passengers were given lodging at hotels in a number of external stations until they are returned to Kuwait or transferred to their destinations as of Thursday.
He stressed that Kuwait Airways has sought to prevent the delay of the movement of aircraft as soon as possible during the past three days, resulting, by the grace of God and by concerted efforts from government agencies, to able to put into operation the six aircraft which were surrounded by the accumulation of rainwater.
Al-Jassem said that all aircraft were temporarily transferred to T-1 building until the concerned parties finish processing the water-saturated areas and then give the green light for resumtion of
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flights, thanking the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Public Works in this respect. KUNA
Page 6 of 10 Economy Kuwaiti Oil Rose to $ 65.78
Price of Kuwaiti oil barrels rose 97 cents on Friday to reach $ 65.78 opposite $ 64.81 pb last Thursday as per the price declared by KPC.
In other news, US Energy corporations added oil rigs last week for the fifth time in 6 weeks, and this makes the total number of rigs at the highest level since 3 years, and production of crude oil from rock oil basins at a high standard level.
Baker Hughes Company for power services indicated in its weekly report that the number of active oil rigs in USA rose 2 rigs in the week that ends in November 16, and thus the total number of rigs became 888, and this is the highest level since March 2015.
After a humble increase that reached 5 oil rigs in the third quarter of the year, energy corporations added 25 oil rigs since the beginning of the fourth quarter. Al-Rai
KAMCO: Extension of Oil Production Reduction Slows Down Oil Prices Dropping
The report of KAMCO Company indicates that oil prices dropping is not high as members and non-members of OPEC shall extend the agreement of minimizing production in 2019.
The report remarked that oil prices dropped in one of the longest successive dropping waves with losses reaching 20% till the end of the last week in comparison with its highest levels at the beginning of last October.
The report ascribed this dropping of prices to concerns related to demand on oil on the short run due to expectations of weak world economic growth on the short run. This is in addition to concerns related to oil production increase, stock maximization and weakness of emerging markets’
currencies. Besides, there are also concerns from the US sanctions on Iran that are declared recently. Therefore, Saudi Arabia and other members at OPEC seek to extend production minimization agreement to 2019. The report further demonstrates that Saudi Arabia shall minimize its oil exports 0.5 million barrels on a daily basis on December 2018, despite the statements of the Saudi minister of energy that production minimization was in response to the seasonal dropping of demand.
The report further states that oil prices were fluctuating since the second week of October 2018, as Brent Crude dropped 7% in one day last week, and this is the biggest daily drop since 3 years.
The report also indicated that the price of OPEC crude reached $ 67pb, where it was $ 70 pb in the Middle of August 2018. However, despite this, the medium rate of the crude in October showed a positive tendency due to the fast pattern of revenues at the beginning of the month.
OPEC has increased production 430 barrels per day in October 2018, which is considered the highest level in 33 months. At the beginning of this November, 8 importers of Iranian oil, who represent nearly 75% of its exports from the crude oil, got 180 day exemption, and this indicates a rise in exports, which dropped to the half since the declaration of the US sanctions. Therefore, IEA anticipates that supply shall surpass demand in 2019. Al-Rai
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“We’ve Achieved 2059 Connection and Installation of 2995 Equipment in “ Environmental Fuel Project”
Manager of Environmental Fuel Project Operation at Al-Ahmadi Refinery at KNPC, Shujah Al- Ajmi confirmed they have completed updating 8 units and that they have successfully operated them. He further reported that they have achieved 2059 connection operations of lines to the project in a record time.
He further remarked that there are no oil projects without challenges, however, the final result is the point.
Al-Ajmi confirmed that Kuwaiti employees are working hard day and night to complete oil strategic projects, whose economic revenues shall support Kuwait economy.
“Operation of all services units, which include nitrogen unit, compressed air unit, water purification and pure water production unit, has been launched”, said Al-Ajmi in a statement to Al-Rai newspaper.
He further added that boiler A and C have been operated, and currently boiler B is being operated.
He confirmed that boilers are working with high efficiency to prepare supporting units, like sulfur extraction units and hydrogen units, provided that the last phase shall start with operation of units producing environmental fuel.
Al-Ajmi indicated that environmental fuel project is divided into 3 divisions including updating existing units ( total number 8 units) to maximize their capacity; connection operations between new and existing lines ( 2118 connection points) to ensure transporting products between the refinery and the new units; and establishing 37 new units to produce environment-friendly and highly efficient fuel.
Al-Ajmi revealed that operation has already started, and that the current production is from the services production including nitrogen, air, water and steam, which are the key products for operating the producing units. Al-Rai
USD exchange rate down, trading at KD 0.303, EUR up to KD 0.346 - CBK
The exchange rate of the US Dollar went down against the Kuwaiti Dinar, exchanging at KD 0.303, whereas the Euro went up to KD 0.346, said the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) Sunday.
The CBK's daily bulletin added that the exchange rate of the British Pound Sterling went down to KD 0.389.
The Swiss Franc went up to KD 0.303, while the Japanese Yen remained unchanged at 0.002 – KUNA
Inaugurating SAVECO Branch in the Avenues
SAVECO market is inaugurated in the fourth stage of the Avenues Complex, Gate No. 28 – 29 with the attendance of a number of state leaders, ambassadors, the CEO of SAVECO Co. Nour Faisal Al-Qattami, and repsentatives of newspapers, magazines and TV channels.
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“ Inauguration of the new branch of SAVECO in the Avenues is matching the company’s policy, which aim to be close to consumers”, said Al-Qattami on the sidelines of inauguration of the new branch in the Avenues, remarking that SAVECO is looking forward to inaugurate key stores in GCC.
Inauguration of the new branch of the Avenues was attended by a number of guests including the US Ambassador to Kuwait, Lawrence Silverman, who toured health and gluten free department, dairy products department, frozen foodstuff, and beauty department. Al-Rai
Page 9 of 10 External Affairs
“We Are Ready to Provide Logistic Support to Participation of Yemen Parties in Stockholm”: Kuwait
Kuwait showed its readiness to provide logistic support to ensure participation of Yemeni parties at consultations’ tour that shall be held in Stockholm in Sweden, and she affirmed her support to the efforts exerted by the special envoy to the UN to Yemen, Martin Griffith in this regard.
This came during Kuwait’s speech at UN session on Yemen the previous day by the permanent delegate to the UN, Ambassador, Mansour Al-Otaibi.
Al-Otaibi confirmed Kuwait’s steadfast belief that diplomatic solution is the only possible solution to the crisis in Yemen, and he stated Kuwait’s support to the diplomatic process that could ensure putting an end to the suffering of the Yemeni people. However, he reiterated that all efforts aiming to end the crisis should be based on the three political references, the GCC initiative and its implementation mechanism, national dialogue outputs, and UN decisions in this regard.
Al-Otaibi welcomed resumption of political consultations in Stockholm, and he expressed his gratitude to Sweden for its preparation to host such consultations. He further expressed hope that Yemen parties shall attend this tour of consultations and to engage in them with good well and without any preconditions. Al-Rai
“We Support Kuwait to Face the Impacts of the Exceptional Climate Conditions”: Bahrain Prime Minister
His Excellency the Prime Minister of Bahrain, Shaikh Jaber Al-Mubarak received a phone call from Bahraini Prime Minister, Amir Khalifa Ben Salman where he expressed his support to the government and people of Kuwait to face the impacts of the exceptional climate conditions in the last few days.- Al-Seyassa
$42 million to UNRWA
Kuwait’s Permanent Representative at the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi has handed the UN Palestinian refugees agency (UNRWA) a $42.1 million-worth Kuwaiti contribution to support its activities.
“This takes the total contribution of Kuwait to $50 million, making it one of the largest contributors to UNRWA in 2018,” Otaibi said following his meeting with head of the UNRWA office in New York Peter Mulrean. He noted that the Kuwaiti aid was also meant to help UNRWA address its financial shortfall and continue its services to Palestinian refugees.
“This contribution affirms Kuwait’s continued backing to UNRWA’s activities and educational, health and relief programs for over five million Palestinian refugees in its operation areas,” He said. Otaibi reiterated Kuwait’s firm support for the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people, particularly refugees. He emphasized Kuwait’s backing and solidarity with the Palestinian people efforts to defend their just cause and get their legitimate rights. KUNA
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Omani- Kuwait Relations Are Developing Strongly: Al-Ansari
Ambassador of Sultanate of Oman to Kuwait, Dr. Adnan Al-Ansari to Kuwait confirmed that Oman-Kuwait relations are developing strongly and closely in a way that responds to the aspirations of the peoples’ of both countries.
“ The Omani-Kuwaiti mutual committee exert multiple efforts to push and expand cooperation between the two sister countries in many fields including economy, commerce, education, scientific research, youth, civil service, environment and other development fields. There are many agreements and MOUs between the two countries that have been signed all along the previous years”, said Al-Ansari on the occasion of the National Day of his country, adding that the private sector in both countries is doing a vital and increasingly significant role in investment fields in both countries, especially in the commercial and real estate fields.
Al-Ansari remarked that there are still many promising fields and opportunities to expand and deepen cooperation and mutual investment fields between the two countries.
He further added that Oman today is different from Oman in the near past as there are many developments that happened in the country since the reign of Sultan Qabos ben Said on the 23 of July 1970, as more care is given increasing GDP by giving due care to agriculture, financial investment and benefiting from tourism fields as well as others.
He further clarified that Oman is keen to be open on GCC, especially after the great leaps that have been taken between the two countries in order to unify efforts. Al-Seyassa
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/
