Page 1 of 6
News Summary Report Wed / Oct. 24, 2018
Korea-Kuwait Relations
Korea’s Incheon Proud to be selected to Operate Terminal 4
Kuwait Airways’ new Terminal 4 (T4) launched operations recently. Incheon, a Korean-based airport firm, won a five-year contract for the management, operation and safety of Terminal 4, as mandated by the Kuwaiti aviation authority. Speaking to Kuwait Times, Kwang Soo Lee, Project Manager at Terminal 4, Kuwait International Airport said his company has been operating Incheon airport in Seoul, which has been voted and recognized as a premier airport for several years.
“We are very happy to be selected as your terminal operator for the next five years. We started operations in late August, and we are honored and proud that the Kuwaiti aviation authority selected us to operate Terminal 4,” he said. “Usually operation starts after the full completion of construction and system integration, however, in T4 facilities, this was not the case. We faced many challenges in this regard, especially that our company did not construct the airport and systems, but day by day we are witnessing tangible improvements in general.”
Incheon won the contract in May 2018, then was immediately told to begin operations a few months later. “We prepared for the opening as they told us they wanted T4 to be operational as soon as possible,” Lee said. “We hired people from Incheon Airport – around 40 experienced security and management staff were selected to run T4 immediately. Without them, it would have been impossible to operate. Since we have knowledgeable people, we hired and trained more staff locally. Now we have around 500 personnel running T4,” he said – Kuwait Times
Page 2 of 6
Domestic Affairs
The Prime Minister Received Al-Badran and Al-Asousi and Received the Constitutional Encyclopedia from Al-Mula
His Excellency the Prime Minister, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak received in Bayan Palace yesterday the CEO of Kuwait Telecom Company, VIVA, eng. Salman Al-Badran and the CEO of corporations sector (Kuwait Telecom Co.- VIVA), Essam Al-Asousi on the occasion of the passage of 10 years on the foundation of the company.
His Excellency the Prime Minister also received Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak, Abdullah Najeeb Al-Mulla, who granted His Excellency the first part of the Constitutional Encyclopedia.
His Excellency the Prime Minister further received President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Peter Maurer and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of visiting the State of Kuwait – Al-Anbaa
CARIRS: Developing a Mechanism for Employment in the Private Sector in Cooperation with KCCI
The Central Agency for Remedying Illegal Residence Status yesterday (Tuesday) developing a mechanism for employment in the private sector in cooperation with Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry to include broader categories of illegal residents.
“Chairman of CARIRS, Saleh Al-Fadalah and Chief of KCCI, Ali Al-Ghanim discussed issues related to illegal residents”, CARIRS says in a press statement after the meeting that was held between the two parties at the headquarters of KCCI, adding, “job seekers could access the electronic website supervised by KCCI and fill their applications, and the website shall help them be hired by the participating companies and organizations.”
He remarked that CARIRS provided the necessary database at the website, and he called all those eligible, but didn’t list their names at the database to update their data at the headquarter of the CARIRS.
He further stated that KCCI accepted the request of CARIRS of approving all visit and health insurance cards issued from the first in all transactions of the latter.
Al-Fadalah gave detailed explanation and visual presentation on the issue of illegal residents as well as the facilities and privileges provided to them subject to the Cabinet Decree No.
(409/2011) – Al-Anbaa
South Sabah Al-Ahmad Residential City – Kuwaiti Lane with a Modern Spirit
The Public Authority for Housing Care declared plans of residential areas at South Sabah Al- Ahmad residential city.
In this regard, Deputy GM for Planning and Designing Affairs, eng. Nasser Khuraibat said in a press statement yesterday that planning of the project is based on “development of the idea
Page 3 of 6
of Kuwaiti lane in harmony with modern architectural buildings and modern civil planning of housing projects. Moreover, it shall have green areas connecting the project with the public facilities.
He added that currently, 10 housing suburbs were approved including nearly 19 thousand buildings, the area of each of which is 400m2. Schedule of distributions and dates for the lot shall be declared during the coming month of November – Al-Anbaa
Committee finalizes investigation report on military academy cadet’s death
A committee formed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to investigate the death of a cadet at Ali Al-Sabah Military Academy announced completing its final report, including recommendations made pending the return of the minister to make his final decision.
In this regard, security sources said that aside from the recommendations, the committee’s report defined the charges facing 15 personnel subjected to investigation according to direct or indirect precipitation of the cadet’s demise in any way.
The report further indicates that the committee listened to testimonies by academy officers, personnel and cadets, in addition to revising medical reports- Kuwait Times
Page 4 of 6
Economy
Price of Kuwaiti Oil Drops $1.22 to be $ 76.59
Kuwait oil price dropped $ 1.22 yesterday to reach $ 76.59 pb opposite $ 77.81 pb the previous day as per the price declared by KOC – KUNA
Kuwaiti Oil Minister Highlights Global Downstream Conference
Kuwait's Minister of Oil Bkheet Al-Rashidi said on Tuesday that a Bahrain-hosted downstream conference bringing together business professionals from around the world could help introduce the Gulf region to new technologies.
The Gulf Downstream Association's Conference and Exhibition has proved to be a resounding success, Al-Rashidi, who also serves as Kuwait's minister of electricity and water, told KUNA on the sidelines of the two-day event.
Kuwait National Petroleum Company's director of information technology Abdulaziz Al-Duaij commended the organizers of the conference for their meticulous efforts, saying that such events showcase emerging technologies.
More than 150 companies from 35 nations have converged on the expo to display their latest products and share experiences over the use of modern technology – KUNA
Kuwait Partakes in Saudi Conf. to Follow-up Future of Global Investment – Min Kuwait's participation in the Saudi second Future Investment Initiative conference was a chance to get updated about future of regional and global investments, Finance Minister Dr.
Nayef Al-Hajraf has stated.
The large presence of Kuwaiti public and private institutions shows keenness on making the best use of this event, the largest of its kind in the Arab World, Al-Hajraf said in a statement to KUNA on the sidelines of the event which kicked off in Riyadh earlier Tuesday.
The Saudi economy has solid and strong foundations thanks to its huge local market and enormous potentials for exporting non-petroleum products, he argued.
"For these reasons, we believe that the Kuwaiti considerable contribution was important to get acquainted with the great and promising investment opportunities and to benefit from the regional and international experiences for future of investment," he said.
Kuwait's official delegation to the event comprises Finance Minister Al-Hajraf, Commerce and Industry Ministry Khaled Al-Roudhan, Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait Mohammad Al-Hashel, and Managing Director of the Kuwait Investment Authority Farouq Bastaki.
The three-day event, organized by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), will have more than 40 sessions, open forums and workshops to explore the trends, opportunities and challenges shaping the global investment landscape.
It brings together officials, investors, experts from all over the world to discuss the future of investment in the world – KUNA
Page 5 of 6
External Affairs
Al-Jarallah Received the Iranian Ambassador
Deputy Foreign Minister, Khaled Al-Jarallah met with Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Kuwait, Ali Reda Enaity on the occasion of the end of his tenure. Al-Jarallah expressed his wish of success to the Ambassador – Al-Anbaa
Kuwait Renews Commitment to Mediating Yemen Peace Talks
Acting head of Kuwait mission to the UN Bader Abdullah Al-Munayekh said Tuesday his country is ready to facilitate the efforts of Martin Griffiths, the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Yemen, to bring the warring parties back to the negotiating table.
"The deterioration of the humanitarian situation is the unavoidable result of the armed conflict which affects, first and foremost, the economy," he said in a speech to a UN Security Council session on the situation in Yemen on Tuesday.
"Given the non-payment of salaries and the (Yemeni) riyal's depreciation, the international community has a responsibility to support the Yemeni Government's economic response, as well as the Special Envoy's efforts," Ambassador Al-Munayekh pointed out.
He commended Saudi Arabia's support to the Central Bank of Yemen, including a recent cash injection of USD 200 million, bringing the total Saudi contribution to USD 3.2 billion, in addition to USD 70 million for teachers' salaries.
Pointing to the Houthis' coup against the legitimate Government in Yemen and their seizing control of all State institutions by force, he said they are refusing to cooperate with political efforts to end the crisis, as seen most recently in Geneva.
"That group is also seizing and looting humanitarian assistance," Ambassador Al-Munayekh went on.
"The State of Kuwait stands ready to support international efforts to prioritize a political solution based on international resolutions, despite security challenges, including the targeting of Saudi territory with ballistic missiles and other weapons," he stressed.
Efforts to end the crisis must stem from a political solution based on the Gulf initiative, the outcome of the national dialogue and relevant Security Council resolutions, he added – KUNA Kuwait Designates 9 Persons for Links with Taliban, Iran Revolutionary Guards
Kuwait designated nine terrorists for their link with Afghanistan's Taliban and Iran's Revolutionary Guard, the Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday.
The designation was taken hand-in-hand with Riyadh-based Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC), co-chaired by the US and Saudi Arabia, as well as in line with UN Security Council resolutions under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, it said in a statement.
The foreign ministry identified the terrorists as: Mohammad Owhadi, Esma'il Razavi, Abdullah Faroqui, Mohammad Muzzamil, Abdul Rahim Manan, Abdul Aziz Zamani, Sadr Ibrahim, Hafiz Majid and Naeem Paretch.
The ministry said the designation was part of efforts by the TFTC to address terrorism financing, and crack down on terrorist groups which posed a threat to interest and security of TFTC member countries.
The TFTC also includes Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – KUNA
Page 6 of 6
ICRC eyes closer cooperation with Kuwait - Maurer
President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Peter Maurer said Tuesday the relationship between the committee and the State of Kuwait is unique thanks to the humanitarian policy of Kuwait.
Kuwait always responds promptly to emergencies worldwide and helps ensure respect for human dignity of the victims of crises and armed conflicts, he said in an interview with KUNA.
Maurer, who concluded a two-day visit to Kuwait, said the aim of the visit was to enhance cooperation and express gratitude for the diplomatic and material assistance to the activities of the committee in crisis-hit countries.
He noted that he reviewed with the Kuwaiti officials the latest developments of the ICRC response to the humanitarian disasters in several countries, particularly Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
The regional mission of the committee works constantly to integrate the provisions of the international humanitarian law into the national legislations and the war games of the Gulf Cooperation Council member states, he said.
Members of the committee visit the detainees and prisoners of wars, and address the humanitarian matters left by the Gulf war of 1990-91, he went on.
He spoke highly of Kuwait's relentless efforts to bring the Yemeni political adversaries to the negotiating table, host donor conferences on Syria, and lobby for the reconstruction of Iraq.
Maurer noted that the 25 year-old legacy of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, including the missing Kuwaitis, was one of the topics discussed during his stay in Kuwait.
He added that the discussions dealt also with the possibility of enhancing cooperation with Kuwaiti charities and fund-raising organizations such as Kuwait Red Crescent Society and the International Islamic Charitable Organization – KUNA
Kuwaiti Min. discusses enhancing cooperation with Laos' officials
Kuwaiti Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hind Al-Sabeeh held meetings with officials of Laos during an official visit to enhance cooperation between the two countries.
A statement issued by Kuwait embassy in Laos said Tuesday that Minister Al-Sabeeh held meetings with Minister of Labor and Social Welfare in Laos, Kham Pheng Sysompheng and his deputy, Bounkong Lasuka.
The Minister also held meetings with Deputy Foreign Minister Lami Khamavu Ernathavaneh and Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Lausi Khamilin Pholsena.
Al-Sabeeh discussed several issues of common interest between the two countries, including activating the agreement signed in 2009 on enhancing cooperation for manpower recruitment, the statement added.
The statement noted that the two sides encouraged the exchange of official visits, adding that an official delegation from Laos will visit Kuwait at the beginning of next year 2019 to discuss the signing of a new agreement – KUNA
