Sun, Jul 25, 2021
News Summary Report EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives to Kuwait on Wednesday
US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Arabian Peninsula Affairs Daniel Benaim said Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to Kuwait is “an affirmation of the enduring ties between the United States and long-standing partner Kuwait.”
In a teleconference briefing with reporters, Benaim said that during the visit, Blinken will meet with senior Kuwaiti leadership and “consult on a wide range of issues befitting two close partners.” “This visit comes in a year where we mark two important milestones in the bilateral relationship, the 30th anniversary of Operation Desert Shield and the liberation of Kuwait. as well as the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic ties, ties that we hope to build on with this trip,” he added.”
Our partnership has only grown stronger and deeper over the last 30 years.” “Kuwaiti mediation and statesmanship were vital to the healing the Gulf rift that helped pull US partners in this region back together, so we‘re grateful for that and look forward to discussing a variety of different regional issues,” he affirmed. He noted “On a variety of different issues – Kuwait works to end conflicts, bridge gaps, de-escalate tensions and provide humanitarian aid and we welcome the chance to consult closely – on other regional issues of concern.” He continued “today, we are finding new and important areas to cooperate, particularly when cooperation is needed on the world stage.
Our partnership on COVAX and work to increase COVID19 vaccine distribution worldwide is adding to the response to stem the growth of this international health crisis.” Asked by KUNA on the next US-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue, Benaim said
“our governments are in constant cooperation and contact about the next dialogue, which we hope will be soon.” The governments of the US and Kuwait held the fourth US-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue here in November 2020.
Al-Anbaa
Chinese Ambassador: “we’re sure that Kuwait will overcome the pandemic”
On behalf of the Embassy of China, the Ambassador Li Minggang congratulated his Highnest Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad, Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad, Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled and the citizens of Kuwait on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, expressing his sincere wishes to friendly Kuwait citizens.
The Chinese Ambassador added that the strong relations between the two countries
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were even more strengthened after COVID-19 pandemic. He assured that Kuwait will overcome the pandemic in the near future under the rule of Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad. He also noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of establishing the diplomatic relations between China and Kuwait and the 100th anniversary of establishing the Chinese Communist Party. Furthermore, he looks forward that the two countries seize the opportunities of these occasions to strengthen the Chinese Kuwaiti strategic relations and to cooperate in all fields that serve both nations.
Al-Seyassah
H.H. sent his condolence to floods victims of India
His Highnes Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad has sent condolence cable to the Ram Nath Kovind prssident of the friendly country India. He expressed his sincere condolence and consolation for the victims of State of Maharashtra floods, that ended up in many casualties and injuries. H.H. confirmed Kuwait’s sympathy with its friendly country and he hopes that the authorities will overcome this natural disaster wishing speedy recovery for the injured.
Al-Anbaa
ECONOMY
Kuwait oil price rises to USD 73.73 pb
Kuwait oil price rose by a single US dollar to USD 73.73 per barrel Friday against USD 72.73 pb Thursday, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said in a statement on Saturday.
In international markets, the Brent crude rose by 31 US cents to USD 74.10 pb, while the West Texas intermediate crude moved down by 16 cents, setting at USD 72.07 pb.
KUNA
Kuwait at the world’s top three sovereign wealth funds by USD 693 billion assets.
Forbes Middle East had revealed that that (KIA) Kuwait Investment Authority is at the world’s top three sovereign wealth funds. Kuwait sovereign wealth funds is the Middle-East’s first and the world’s third best funds by USD 693 billion assets. On July 11, 2021, it recorded a drastic leap by 29.8% in comparison with USD 533.6 billion last March.
The fund, a national saving pot designed to help the country prepare for life after oil, has more than half of its investments in the U.S., where equity markets have been on a
tear. The benchmark S&P 500 Index surged more than 8% last quarter, its fifth consecutive three-monthly gain, while MSCI World Index gained more than 7%.
Al-Anbaa
Electric loads reached 15160 megawatts, the ministry call for energy conservation
The electrical network had overcome Eid Holiday smoothly except for few cases of blackouts as a result of load pressure on electricity, nevertheless, the ministry had dealt with the situation rapidly. Electricity index was stable in power consumption during the Eid holiday, whereas it did not exceed 15000 megawatts except for yesterday Saturday; the electrical load reached 15160 megawatts.
Sources from ministry added, that electrical loads are a result of high temperature, whereas humidity helped in decreasing the consumption levels and the pressure on the network.
Al-Anbaa
Oil falls more than USD 2 after OPEC+ producers agree to raise output
Oil prices fell sharply on Monday after OPEC+ overcame internal divisions and agreed to boost output, sparking concerns about a crude surplus as COVID-19 infections rise in many countries.
Brent crude was down $2.54, or 3.4%, at $71.05 a barrel by 1235 GMT. U.S. oil was down $2.64, or 3.6%, at $69.17 a barrel. Both benchmarks recorded their largest declines since early April.
OPEC+ ministers agreed on Sunday to increase oil supply from August to cool prices that this month hit their highest level in more than two years as the global economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The group of members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies such as Russia also agreed new production shares from May 2022.
OPEC+ last year cut output by a record 10 million barrels per day (bpd) as the pandemic hollowed out demand, prompting a collapse in prices with U.S. oil futures prices at one point falling into negative territory.
OPEC+ producers have gradually eased their output curbs, which now stand at around 5.8 million bpd.
To overcome internal divisions, OPEC+ agreed new production quotas for several members from May 2022, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Kuwait and Iraq.
Al-Anbaa
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DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
Kuwait registers 6 COVID-19 deaths, 987 new cases
Kuwait Ministry of Health on Saturday registered six coronavirus- related deaths; four not vaccinated, while recording 987 infections in the past 24 hours. Ministry Spokesman Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad, in a statement to KUNA, said total deaths reached 2,279 and registered infections topped 391,781.
He added that 1,479 people recovered in the past 24 hours to reach a total of 374,986, adding that percentage of recoveries to infection was 95.71.
Al-Sanad said there were 318 COVID-19 patients in intensive care units, while 14,516 people were receiving medical care. He added there were 1,113 patients in hospitals.
He said health care workers conducted 12,466 swab tests in the past 24 hours to reach 3.3 million since outbreak of the pandemic. He added that percentage of new cases-to- swab ratio was 7.92.
Al-Sanad said percentages of infections in Ahmadi governate was 28, Hawally 23, Faewaniya 21, Jahra 14 and Capital 14.
KUNA
Kuwait Foreign Minister urges citizens to postpone Indonesia travel plans due to COVID-19
Kuwait Foreign Ministry Wednesday urged citizens wishing to travel to Indonesia to postpone their plans due to the critical health situation caused by the rapid spread of coronavirus.
The ministry’s Consular Department said Indonesian authorities were adopting
necessary measures to curb spread of the virus. It called on Kuwaiti citezens currently in Indonesia to leave the country immediately for their own safety.
KUNA
Vaccinated Expats will be allowed to return
During its meeting today, the Cabinet accepted a recommendation to allow vaccinated expats to return to Kuwait. The government spokesman, Tariq Al-Mazram, announced that from 1st August onward vaccinated expats with valid residence will be allowed to enter Kuwait. Only those who have received Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson will be allowed to enter. Expats entering Kuwait will have to stay in home quarantine for a period of 7 days, if PCR test result is negative the quarantine period ends. Expats who have received the specified vaccines in Kuwait will be able to travel abroad and return according to health requirements.
Non-Vaccinated Kuwaiti citizens will be prevented from traveling with the exception of: 1. Age group who are not subjected to vaccination 2. Citizens for health reasons who are not being vaccinated 3. Pregnant women who have obtained certificate from the health ministry. Those who are not vaccinated with approved vaccines will not be allowed to enter malls, restaurants, salons and major complexes. From Jun 27th the ban on non-vaccinated people applies to areas of mall which is more than 6000 sq meters. Malls will continue to shut by 8 pm until further notice.
Arab Times
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