Wed Oct 13, 2021
News Summary Report EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Romanowski: “allowing women to join military service reflects gender equality”
The Ambassador of the United States to the State of Kuwait Alina Romanowski confirmed that the ministerial decision allowing women to join military service is considered a huge leap forward for gender equality in Kuwait.
Romanowski said in a tweet yesterday that women’s entry into the army forces for the first time in Kuwait’s history highlights the political leadership’s vision for inclusion.
Women will have key roles in the medical and military support services.
Al-Jareeda
Faisal Al-Nawaf: GCC security coordination reached remarkable levels
Undersecretary Lieutenant General Sheikh Faisal Al-Nawaf said that holding mutual military training between the brotherly GCC countries enforces comprehensive work and unites our message between GCC security devices, and enforces security in order to encounter any threats to the region. He added that this cooperation helps in exchanging experiences and increases coordination and cooperation levels in managing situations that threatens GCC countries’ security. Al-Nawaf noted that security cooperation reached remarkable levels in coordinating efforts and through holding mutual military training to provide GCC countries citizens with the needed expertise.
Al-Rai
Jordan senate eyes progress in ties with Kuwait
The leader of the Jordanian Senate Faisal Al-Fayez yesterday hailed his
country’s “strategic ties” with Kuwait, saying there was still more room for
improvement in bilateral relations. Kuwait has always stood by Jordan’s side in
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times of need, which proves that the two countries’ respective leaders equally prioritize bilateral ties, Fayez said amid talks with Kuwait’s Ambassador to Jordan Aziz Al-Daihani. The Kuwaiti envoy said his country’s total investments in the Hashemite Kingdom, which has long been a hotspot for Kuwaiti visitors, are worth $18 billion across vital sectors, citing His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s desire to improve bilateral relations.
Jordanian senator Mustafa Al-Barari, who leads a joint Jordanian-Kuwaiti committee, agreed that improving bilateral relations was a shared goal, describing these ties as “exceptional.” Kuwaiti investments in Amman are likely to double by the year 2030, he added, thanking a Kuwait-based fund for its contributions towards keeping development projects across the kingdom afloat.
Kuwait Times
ECONOMIC
Kuwait oil gain nine cents Tues. to USD 83.32 pb- KPC
Kuwait crude oil gained nine cents during Tuesday’s trading sessions to reach USD 83.32 per barrel compared with USD 83.23 pb the day before, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said Wednesday.
Benchmark Brent however dropped 23 cents to USD 83.42 pb while West Texas Intermediate jumped 12 cents to USD 80.64 pb.
KUNA
Kuwait refuses the Chinese loan to execute Shagaya infra.
China Development Bank offered to Kuwait to construct the infrastructure of Shagaya Economic City by lending Kuwait KD 5 billion to be installed on 19 years, wasn’t accepted by government authorities.
Al-Rai has been informed that the concerned authorities have excluded the option of direct funding and they have requested officials at the bank to implement the project through B.O.T. system.
Sources noted that the Kuwaiti side is not tending to accept the offered Chinese funding for several reasons, one of which is the high interest price which is usually given to higher risk investments.
According to sources the Kuwaiti offer to implement huge projects according to B.O.T system that corresponds with the government’s policy to reduce direct investment spending and requires the state to withdraw from the General Reserve, especially amid the liquidity crisis that is encountering the Reserve recently.
Sources added, while waiting for the Chinese response, concerned government authorities have been assigned to implement the project, starting with studying legal and technical requirements, beside the real cost of the project to implement the targeted economic city. The authorities have been requested to study conclude a fair and reasonable interest cost to be given to any authority that intends to implement the project in case the Chinese Development Bank doesn’t accept the Kuwaiti offer.
Al-Rai
South Saad Al-Abdullah is likely to remain on papers
South Saad Al-Abdullah residential project is about to encounter a crisis of providing funds to be implemented, especially amid Kuwait’s fiscal deficit and liquidity drain which are likely going to delay the project’s implementation for more years, and it might be merely a project on papers.
While the Ministry of Finance recommended implementing mortgage and real estate developer laws in order to increase the private sector’s contribution in funding residential projects and ease the burden on the state’s budget, Parliamentary Housing Affairs Committee’s decision to cancel the real estate developer law in South Saaad Al-Abdullah contradicted the Ministry of Finance’s recommendation and the concerned authorities will hold responsibility of funding the project.
In line with Public Authority for Housing Welfare’s decision to finally distribute housing documents starting from Oct 25 according to the traditional system (land and loan) the situation turned to be merely a distribution of papers.
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This contradicts what have been issued lately by the Board Committee of PAHW to distribute housing documents according to the plan (22.152 housing units) without paying attention to the consequences of PAHW’s project plan which is referred to the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development (GSSCPD). The plan is based on changing the general philosophy of providing housing while depending on the private sector as well in developing cities and its outskirts. This will also create investment chances for PAHW and will achieve fiscal sustainability that will contribute in decreasing government’s spending on houses.
One of the challenges encountering housing projects in Al-Mutlaa city is funding citizens after finishing the infrastructure due to Kuwait Credit Bank’s inability to fund the loans. Therefore, many are wondering whether Kuwait will be able to proceed in the same way in distributing South Saad Al-Abdullah’s 22.152 housing units, especially amid the inability to gain funds from the Ministry of Finance to implement the project and the Ministry of Electricity and Water’s approval to supply the project with electricity. Two factors should be studied while considering housing crisis which are the current and possible challenges.
One of the prominent challenges facing South Saad Al-Abdullah is the project’s costs, estimated loans and electricity and water expenses.
According to Al-Qabas sources, PAHW has addressed the Cabinet and confirmed the current challenges facing the housing crisis explaining that providing housing units according to the current system is very expensive and the authority is calling to implement a more sustainable housing strategies.
The PAHW’s decision to distribute housing units without considering the consequences contradicts the authority’s decision itself that called for a strategic plan which was referred to the GSSCPD and requested a drastic change regarding housing philosophy, and requested cooperation of public and private sectors in developing the residential cities.
The suggestion of the real estate developer was arranged previously, and it will help in solving the housing crisis rapidly. The suggestion enables the citizen to choose the
housing form that the real estate developer provides after the state finishes the infrastructure of the house regardless of the housing unit document’s date. This will enable citizens to build their ‘dream house’ and will grant them freedom to choose a housing alternative after getting the housing loan.
Solutions and alternatives:
1- Incorporating partnership between the private and public sectors, and developing housing products with variable features in terms of volume and quality that meet the needs of different groups.
2- Establishing an investment company subordinate to PAHW aiming to develop cities in partnership with the private sector.
3- Coordinating with the concerned authorities to enhance the use of available resources beside supporting and rationalizing capital spending on projects more effectively.
4- Providing fiscal alternatives to fund those who are eligible to housing units.
5- Reconsidering construction and infrastructure laws.
6- Changing the housing philosophy and reconsidering distribution standards.
7- Entering into force the real estate developer law rapidly through cooperating with the private sector.
Data and Figures
Statistics conducted by PAHW revealed the high expenses needed to implement South Saad Al-Abdullah project:
2,740,000,000 KD to build the infrastructure
3,197,000,000 KD estimated loans
1,370,000,000 KD as support for Ministry of Commerce and Industry
279,500,00 KD as electricity support assuming that each housing unit will consume 15000 kilowatt
241,000,000 KD for water Al-Qabas
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Ministers Briefed on railway project’s first phase
The Kuwaiti Cabinet has assigned the Public Authority for Roads and Transportation (PART) to implement a railway project in Kuwait in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance and the competent authorities, to quickly take necessary measures aiming to remove all obstacles in the northern and southern regional road and the railway track. This came after ministers discussed the recommendation of the Public Services Committee regarding the report of the follow- up committee on carrying out the railway project. The Cabinet was informed about the presentation submitted by the Board of Directors of the Public Authority for Roads and Transportation on the plan of the first phase of the project.
Kuwait Times
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
Kuwait allows women to join military service
Kuwait yesterday allowed women to register for military service as special officers, noncommissioned officers and personnel. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah issued yesterday a ministerial decision to open registration for Kuwaiti women to join national military service, where applicants will serve in the field of medical and military support in the initial stage.
“Kuwaiti women have proven their achievements in several fields, and accordingly approval was given for women to enter the military corps along with men,” he said.
Sheikh Hamad added that the decision “comes from the role and responsibility of the Kuwaiti army in protecting the country and maintaining its security and stability from any external danger, providing support to government agencies to face any internal developments and to enable Kuwaiti citizens to join the honor of military service”.
Kuwait Times
PAM chief referred to investigation
Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdullah Al-Salman referred Public Authority for Manpower Director Ahmad Al-Mousa for investigation after he issued a decision to halt the renewal of visas of residents aged 60 and older who do not have a university
degree, a decision that has since been scrapped by the fatwa and legislation department.
Sources revealed that Al-Mousa was accused of several violations; he is responsible of creating an imbalance in Kuwait’s demographics, exposing Kuwait to international accusations of human trafficking beside other administrative violations.
Al-Rai
PART requests companies’ assistance to prepare for rainy season
Public Authority for Roads and Transportation (PART) sources revealed to Al-Rai the it has requested help from some companies to implement maintenance works for storm-water drainage system.
Sources said that officials at PART held a meeting with several construction companies at the authority’s building in Sabhan, aiming to clarify some of the needed maintenance works to be executed before the rainy season. The sources added that the authority’s officials explained to the companies that they will implement maintenance works without any payment because the authority doesn’t have any maintenance contracts currently.
The sources expressed their surprise by the authority’s request and for not specifying any maintenance contracts for rainy season. The sources further wondered what would be the situation in case the companies refused helping the authority if any emergency situation occurred during rainy season.
Al-Rai
MoH launches 7th vaccination campaign
Head of the Mobile Vaccination Campaign Team at Ministry of Health Dr. Dina Al- Dhubaib announced launching the 7th Covid-19 vaccination campaign which targets expat workers who work for long hours and can’t get the vaccination and have problems with communication and online registration.
Al-Dhubaib revealed in a press statement that the 6th campaign ended with vaccination of 260,000 persons, and that she is looking forward to vaccinate as much as possible of workers in different areas.
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Al-Jareeda
MP files to grill health minister
MP Hisham Al-Saleh yesterday filed to grill Health Minister Sheikh Dr. Basel Al- Sabah over alleged failure to handle the coronavirus crisis despite a resounding success by the minister that cut the number of new cases to only a handful. Saleh, a pro-government lawmaker, made the surprising move as the government and opposition MPs are locked in a high profile national dialogue to hammer out political disputes that have paralyzed the country since last December’s polls. National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem said he received the grilling, which will be listed on the agenda of the first session later this month when the new term starts. In his grilling, MP Saleh claimed that the minister endangered the country’s health security by allowing the entry of scores of residents during the coronavirus pandemic.
He also accused the minister of being responsible for the high cost of PCR tests and ordering the unnecessary closure of private health facilities. Saleh also accused the minister of not being transparent, claiming the ministry has announced the death of only 934 people due to coronavirus, although the health ministry has officially announced as many as 2,455 people have died of COVID-19. The number of new coronavirus cases reported by the ministry has dropped to below 100 for well over a month, with the number of cases mostly under 50 for the past two weeks, indicating to a substantial success by health authorities to bring the pandemic well under control, which resulted in reopening most activities in the country. The health ministry reported yesterday that only nine patients are being treated at intensive care units and just 28 are admitted in hospitals. The government has praised the efforts of the health minister and the entire medical staff over their performance in containing the pandemic and vaccinating over 80 percent of the population. In the previous term, a number of opposition MPs filed to grill the health minister, mostly on allegations he failed to manage the coronavirus pandemic, but the grillings were not debated due to political disputes and because the Assembly only held a few sessions.
Kuwait Times
Sources:
KUNA: http://www.kuna.net.kw/Default.aspx?language=en
Al Rai: http://www.alraimedia.com/
Kuwait Times: http:/36Y5/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/
