Sun / Oct. 28, 2018 News Summary Report
Domestic Affairs Sea Navigation Resumes As Weather Improves –KPA
Sea navigation at Al-Shuwaikh and Al-Doha ports has been resumed as weather conditions improved, Kuwait Port Authority announced Saturday.
Activities and operations were back to normal in two major ports at 6:30 pm after field reports, by marine operation directors, affirmed improvement in weather and visibility levels, KPA said in a statement.
Navigation was suspended earlier due to bad weather conditions and low visibility levels caused by dust storms and heavy winds.- KUNA
Kuwait Health Minister Inaugurates Medical Center
Minster of Health, Sheikh Dr. Bassel Al-Humoud Al-Sabah inaugurated on Saturday “ the Accidents and Emergency Center” at Sabah Al-Ahmad residential district, with attendance of Minister of State for the Housing Affairs and Minister of State for Services, Jenan Boushehri.
The health minister, in a statement during the inauguration ceremony, said the center had been designed to serve as a “mini hospital” to admit emergency and critical cases and accidents’
victims.
Minister Dr. Bassel says his is looking forward to see the new center contributing to decreasing fatalities and complications resulting from accidents.
The project, executed on a 7,000 square meters’ plot of land, comprises two wards for emergency examination, care units and other facilities.
For her part, minister Boushehri lauded minister’s Bassel’s efforts that brought about establishing the medical center, affirming that handover of newly-built buildings for public services was proceeding as scheduled- KUNA
KAC launches new air dispatch section
Within its strategic expansion plan, Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) recently launched the air dispatch section at its new control center at the airline’s headquarters.
A special ceremony was held with the attendance of KAC board chairman Yousif Abdul Hameed Al-Jassim, CEO Abdullah Al-Sharhan, and top company officials.
Notably, the dispatch section, which was moved from Terminal 1 (T1) to Terminal 4 (T4), is responsible for preparing all needed flight documents, plans and details prior to take off, during flying and on arrival. It is also responsible for making the needed permits in collaboration with the engineering department with the aim of checking plane readiness for flight, its fuel needs, weather conditions and prepare flight crew. Speaking on the occasion, deputy operations manager Essa Al-Haddad said that the section was moved to T4 after all KAC flights were moved to the new terminal.
“It is a great step to achieve direct contact with pilots and avoid mistakes,” he underlined.
Meanwhile, head of the control section Abdul-Wahab AlShatti said that moving the section should make operations easier and more accurate. – Kuwait Times
Economy Kuwait Oil Price Up 33 Cents to Stand at $ 74.55 pb
The price of Kuwait Crude oil went up 33 cents on Friday to stand at $ 74.55 per barrel (pb) after it was at $ 73.22 pb last Thursday, said Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) Saturday.
Globally, oil prices went up after expectation of sanctions to Iran, which might put more pressure on oil supplies globally. Meanwhile, the price of the Brent crude went up 73 cents to settle at $ 77.62 pb, the same case with the West Texas Intermediate, which also was up 26 cents to reach $ 67.59 pb.- KUNA
Kuwait Chamber Chief Lauds Outcome of the 128th Session of the Arab Council The visiting Chairman of Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ali Al-Ghanim extolled on Saturday outcome of the 128th session of the Council of Arab Chamber of Commerce.
The session results are excellent and promising, Said Al-Ghanim in a statement to KUNA, adding that participants in the session discussed issues related to the Arab Economic Summit, due in Lebanon in January and some legal affairs.
He expressed hope that the Kuwaiti private sector would reap benefits from the meeting outcomes. Arab states decided to form the joint council at a meeting in Alexandria in May 1951.
Its constitutional law was worked out in Beirut in December the same year.
The Council, the legitimate representative of the Arab private sector, contributes to the efforts toward Arab-Arab economic integration.- KUNA
Farewell to Paper Licenses ….. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Ministry of Commerce and Industry declared yesterday that the new e-license system shall be operational starting from the next year to enable all issue their licenses electronically without any paper needs or visiting the ministry.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry reported in a statement that companies and stores were suffering from issuing and updating their licenses. Therefore, the e-license shall solve all those problems and could be issued online directly.
“Supervision teams shall instantly verify the validity of companies’ data and their commitment to their business activities”, Ministry of Commerce and industry added,
remarking that this e-license service shall provide more protection for consumers. Among the most important advantages of the e-license are the following:
1- Facilitating license issuance as it doesn’t need attendance of owner of the license, however, he or she could issue it electronically.
2- Fees of issuance could be paid electronically via K-NET service.
3- Totally secured via QR CODES.
This service is part of a package of great developments undertaken by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in order to transition to automation of all procedures including modifications of companies, inquiry about the civil register of companies, consumer
protection.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry sets forth that this new resolution shall be enforceable starting from January 2, 2019, providing that the period from the date of its issuance to the date of its enforcement shall be deemed as a transition period – Al-Rai
Al-Roudhan Stabilizes Prices of Dates for Cooperative Societies and Minimizes Them for Consumers
Minister of Commerce and Industry, Khaled Al-Roudhan issued a ministerial decree of
enlisting dates in supplies with a low price and to stabilize its price for cooperative societies.
The 1st article of the Ministerial Decree No. (604)/2018 modifies the 1st article of the
Ministerial Decree No. (161)/2012 to be “dates, produced from Kuwait farms and packed in Kuwaiti factories shall be enlisted for cooperative societies”.
Subject to the new resolution, article 2 of the decree of 2012 has been modified by reducing the price of kilo for the consumer and stabilizing it for the cooperative societies- Al-Rai
External Affairs
Bahraini PM Praises Kuwait’s Amir Efforts in Strengthening Arab Cooperation
Bahraini Prime Minister, Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa praised on Saturday His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s efforts in achieving Kuwait’s vision and his efforts towards Arab unity.
The Bahraini premier affirmed both countries’ keenness on strengthening bilateral cooperation, while giving a speech during the reception of Kuwait Ministry of Interior’s Assistant Undersecretary for Citizenship and Passports, Major General Sheikh Faisal Nawaf Al-Sabah, who is currently visiting Bahrain to participate in Manama Dialogue.
“What Bahraini-Kuwaiti relations witness from development and prosperity in various fields demonstrates the depth of the brotherly ties between the two countries”, the Bahraini Prime Minister said.
On his part, Major-General Sheikh Faisal Nawaf Al-Sabah conveyed his political leadership’s greetings and hopes for continuous progress and growth for the kingdom- KUNA
US VP attends Kuwait's Embassy in Washington annual gala dinner
US Vice President Mike Pence and top US administration officials gathered at the Kuwait Embassy in Washington for an evening honoring Second Lady Karen Pence, the recipient of the Humanitarian Award for her commitment in raising awareness about the mental health profession of art therapy in the US and around the world.
The Gala Dinner for UNHCR, hosted by Kuwait's Ambassador to the US Sheikh Salem Al- Sabah and his wife Sheikha Rima Al-Sabah honoring Karen Pence, is an event that celebrates the enduring and important friendship and strong partnership between the US and Kuwait that goes back to many decades.
In his speech, Kuwait's Ambassador to the US, Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah shed light on Kuwait's commitment "to supporting refugees and advocating for peace, stability and dignity for all people," saying "it is a commitment that is part of our national culture." "Our leader, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, is a bridge-builder who has sought to create a broad, multilateral response to the humanitarian crises stemming from conflicts in the region and beyond," he noted.
He added that "Our leader, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, is a bridge-builder who has sought to create a broad, multilateral response to the humanitarian crises stemming from conflicts in the region and beyond." "H.H. the Amir was recognized in 2014 by the United Nations for his "exemplary humanitarian leadership." His Highness the Amir is passionate about Kuwait's role in addressing a range of humanitarian causes, and believes deeply that the world must always be able to count on the generosity of the Kuwaiti people," he remarked.
Sheikh Salem stressed that "in that spirit, let us continue this noble work, let us strengthen the bonds of friendship through shared action. Because the destiny of all humanity is rooted in friendship, in peace, in security and in service." or her part, the Ambassador's wife, Sheikha Rima Al-Sabah indicated that "this year alone we have raised over USD one million for UNHCR programs that support refugee and displaced women and children" saying "together, we are changing lives." She shed light on the refugee challenge the world is currently witnessing, saying "68 million men, women and children around the world have been driven from their homes by violence, war and persecution," where over half of those "are displace children." "Every day, another 44,000 people become refugees. This is a terrible humanitarian crisis. And it's only growing," she stressed.- KUNA
Preventive diplomacy "instrumental" for water management - Kuwait
Preventive diplomacy is instrumental in avoiding conflicts and achieving peace and development when it comes to water management, Kuwait said.
"Kuwait has adopted an approach to achieve this goal through shouldering the responsibility to find genuine solutions to improve water resources, as well as developing sanitation services,"
said Counsellor Nawaf Al-Ahmad of the State of Kuwait's Permanent Mission to the UN late Friday. His remarks came at the "Arria-formula meetings" on water, peace and security.
He highlighted projects by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, where 106 countries benefited in face of various environmental challenges, including water scarcity.
Al-Ahmad noted that approximately 40 percent of the world's population live in areas of poor water resources, or in conflict-ridden countries, which could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe.
He pointed out that the UN can play a pivotal role in leading international efforts in terms of water management by limiting related hazards and promoting peace among warring countries.
This would be an implementation of recommendations by the Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace. Kuwait continues to support such international frameworks, he stressed.
The Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace was launched in 2015 in Geneva with the task of developing a set of proposals aimed at strengthening the global framework to prevent and resolve water-related conflicts, and facilitate the use of water as an important factor of building peace and enhancing the relevance of water issues in national and global policy- making. Arria-formula meetings are a relatively recent practice of the members of the Security Council. Like the informal consultations of the whole of the Security Council- KUNA
World News
Strategic Alliance of the Middle East Shall be launched in 2019
Bahrain Foreign Minister, Sheikh Hamad Ben Ahmad Al-Khalifa said yesterday that the proposed GCC security alliance, which shall include Egypt shall be operational next year.
Al-Khalifa emphasized that the GCC region shall be a cornerstone for stability in the Middle East. He further added during IISS Manama Dialogue that the proposed regional security alliance between USA and GCC allies as well as Egypt and Jordan “shall be open for those who accept its principles”.
He further emphasized alliances and partnerships between responsible countries that support stability in the region and their foreign allies to ensure regional stability, especially in view of the challenges facing the region.
Sheikh Khaled elaborated conditions in the region and criticized Iran’s interferences in the internal affairs of countries in Syria and Yemen and their support to the terrorist Houthi Militia.
Saudi and Bahrain said that GCC states play an important role in maintaining stability in the Middle East by means of facing the dark vision of Iran.
“ Currently, we are dealing with two visions in the Middle East : an illuminating Saudi vision and a dark Irani vision that seeks to spread sectarianism in the region, Saudi Foreign Minister, Adel Al-Jubair said in front of IISS Manama Dialogue, adding, “ history tells us that light always achieve victory over darkness, but the question is how to defeat them?”
Al-Jubair said that Qatar officials have participated in discussions recently in Saudi Arabia regarding a framework for the strategic Middle East Alliance, and that the proposed alliance shall not be affected by the diplomatic row.
The conference which took a long time in preparation attracted a great attention this year after the death of the Saudi journalist, Jamal Khaggi at Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.
“Those responsible for the death of the Journalist Jamal Khashggi shall be subject to Saudi courts and investigation shall take a long time”, said Al-Jubair in response to the impact of this issue on the credibility of Saudi in foreign policy affairs.
“Those persons are Saudis. They are arrested in Saudi Arabia and investigation shall be done in Saudi Arabia”, said Al-Jubair in response to a question about their delivery to Turkey upon Turkey’s request.
Al-Jubair further added that Saudi relations with USA is static and solid. The Minister further said that Trump’s administration is adopting a rational and realistic foreign policy that could be supported by all GCC states. He also added that Saudi Arabia is fighting Iran’s darkness vision in the Middle East.
US Defense Minister, Gem Matis warned Saudi Arabia that Khashoggi’s issue is of concern to all because it affects the security of the region. However, Matis then reiterated that the death of the US Journalist, Jamal Khashoggi shall not weaken the relations between USA and Saudi Arabia – Al-Qabas, p.24
