Wed, April 15, 2020
News Summary Report
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
The Third Death of Coronavirus in Kuwait - - 26 Recoveries
Yesterday coronavirus mortalities rose to 3 cases after the death of a female citizen, however, 26 cases recovered and thus the total number of recoveries rose to 176.
The official spokesperson of the Ministry of Health Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad said that 55 new infections were recorded, and thus the total number of infections rose to 1355, remarking that the new cases are for citizens, who arrived from the UK, and another from France among the latest evacuation flights. The three of them were subject to hospital quarantine.
Al-Sanad added during the press conference yesterday that there are 43 cases infected due to contacts, including 2 citizens, 26 Indians, 4 Bangladeshi, 3 Pakistanis, 3 Egyptians and other 5 expats from Iran, Nepal, Afghanistan, Philippine and China.
Moreover, Al-Sanad pointed out that the new epidemiological cases reached 9.
Meanwhile, the number of those who completed quarantine during the last four days reached 1739, including 146 during the last 24 hours.
Further, he pointed out that there are 1176 cases receiving medical care along with 26 cases in Intensive Care Unit, 17 of which are stable and 9 in critical condition.
Al-Jareeda
Foreign Minister Chaired a Meeting for the Emergency Committee to Follow-up Citizens’ Return Plans
Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah chaired a meeting today (Tuesay) at the Ministry’s Diwan with assistant ministers, members of the emergency committee at the ministry.
During the meeting, works of committee as well as the procedures of the Foreign Ministry as well as all the Kuwaiti diplomatic and consular missions abroad were
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monitored along with the operations’ chambers dedicated to face the repercussions of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Further, they monitored coordination between MOFA and the concerned authorities in the State of Kuwait regarding implementation of the plans of the safe return of Kuwaiti citizens home, which will be effective on April 19.
Al-Jareeda
China and Kuwait Exchange Support to Overcome Coronavirus: China’s Ambassador
Ambassador of the Popular Republic of China to the State of Kuwait, Li Minggang disclosed that he attended a virtual meeting via videoconference between health experts in Shanghai city and representatives of the Ministry of Health in the State of Kuwait regarding the means of combating and preventing the novel coronavirus.
Minggang pointed out that the Chinese experts answered accurately the questions and queries of the Kuwaiti side in the field of virology “COVID-19”, test, diagnosis and protection of the community from infection as well as arrangements of isolation and quarantine, and prevention and control procedures.
Both sides made intense discussions on medicines development, standards of discharge of recovered patients from hospital as well as other specialized issues.
Minggang emphasized that China and Kuwait are two close friends and strategic partners that will exchange support and aid endlessly to overcome this epidemic together.
Al-Anbaa
The Leading Role of HH the Amir in Regional and Humanitarian Issue is Outstanding: US Ambassador
Kuwait – April 04th (KUNA) - - US Ambassador to the State of Kuwait, Alina Romanowski confirmed that the leading role of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah towards regional issues and the commitment of HH towards humanitarian issues are well-known to the world. She added that HH is a great friend and an important ally to the United States.
In her interview with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) today (Tuesday), Romanowski emphasized on the importance of mutual coordination between the
two countries to face the repercussions of the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), especially in the medical field, and to provide protection for their communities and arrange flights for their evacuation.
In view of the unique friendship between the two countries, she met recently with the Deputy Foreign Minister, Khaled Al-Jarallah, and they discussed coordination of efforts to provide Kuwait with a new technology that is being developed in the USA in the field of health care in order to combat the novel coronavirus, she said.
In view of the current crisis, and the adoption of most US universities distance learning system, it has become possible for some scholarship students to return back home and finalize the academic year.
As for her impression about the State of Kuwait, she said that since her arrival by the end of January, she was greatly influenced by the hospitality and warmth of Kuwaiti people, remarking that the State of Kuwait enjoys rich culture and history, and the future of their countries will continue based on mutual partnership.
Further, she said that she is looking forward for the end of coronavirus crisis in order to closely identify the Kuwaiti community, especially that she faced some difficulties during the crisis in identifying people and the country. She added that the peoples of both countries enjoy a long and permanent friendship and she is looking forward to cement such ties in the future.
Moreover, Romanowski stated that during her reign as an ambassador for her country she is looking forward to work with the political leadership in the country and with the Kuwaiti government on the issues of mutual concern for the two countries and the region.
“ I was honored to submit my credentials to His Highness the Amir on February 11, and I was pleased that I congratulated HH of the occasion of the National Day and the 14th anniversary of HH reign. I thanked HH on the leading role of HH the Amir at the GCC and in uniting GCC countries”, she said.
Further, she renewed emphasis on commitment of the USA of the mutual security interests and of enhancing mutual relations with the State of Kuwait in view of the strategic dialogue between the two countries, who enjoy a unique partnership that lasted in front of time’s tests. She confirmed that “ the relationship between the two countries is deeply-rooted in our values, interests, and mutual visions for the future”.
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Moreover, she pointed out that the strategic dialogue is one of the important frameworks for expanding partnership between the two countries, and cementing their political, economic, cultural and military relations, remarking that she is looking forward to continue enhancing cooperation in the fields of education, healthcare, transport, cybersecurity and other fields.
As for her impression about the procedures adopted by the Government of Kuwait to combat Coronavirus, the ambassador said, “The Kuwaiti government responded quickly to prevent the virus outbreak, and it was keen to timely share updates to the audience”.
Further, she expressed her gratitude for the sacrifice and dedication of government employees and healthcare providers, who are in the frontlines with full readiness to protect the safety and wellbeing of citizens and expats.
In addition, she commended Kuwait donations for international efforts that aim to overcome the global threat of the virus. “As usual, Kuwait and the USA remain leading countries in global humanitarian support”.
Further, she pointed out that the government of her country provided nearly additional $ 225 million in the form of health, humanitarian and economic aids to enhance world response efforts to combat this pandemic, remarking that there were previous contributions of nearly $ 274 million for the same purpose.
She indicated that ‘the recent contributions were part of $ 140 billion, which is the total US health aids all over the world within the last 20 years’.
As for the joint bilateral efforts to face the repercussions of coronavirus, US ambassador expressed her appreciation for the cooperation of Kuwaiti authorities, represented by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, MOI, the DGCA, and Kuwait Airways due to its close work with the embassy to arrange flights to US citizens, who are desirous to return home, remarking that there are thousands of US citizens living in Kuwait, and till now only 200 persons only departed’.
‘We may see more US citizens desirous to leave Kuwait with provision of additional flights, however, I expect that many of them will stay here till stability of conditions’.
As for the conditions of Kuwaiti students studying in the USA, Romanowski said that there are nearly 12,000 Kuwaiti students studying in US universities. I send my greetings to all those students, and I would like them to be certain that we
think of them in those hard times, especially that they represent part of a great tradition of scholarships and education cooperation between the two countries’.
Most US universities work currently via distant learning program and this makes it possible for some of those students to finalize their academic year here irrespective of the place they chose to surpass this crisis, she added.
She further pointed out that he meetings with the deputy foreign minister, Khaled Al-Jarallah during April of this year focused in many issues, including response of the State of Kuwait to the repercussions of coronavirus, and the regional issues.
She informed that the meetings also focused on the precautionary steps adopted by the State of Kuwait to face the virus. She expressed her gratitude to the deputy foreign minister for the government’s efforts to ensure continuity of the US embassy to work during the crisis.
She stated that the last meeting that was held on last Thursday focused on coordinating efforts to provide the State of Kuwait with novel healthcare technology that is being developed in the USA to combat coronavirus.
She expressed her appreciation of the unique friendship of the two countries, which allow her to do such recurrent and open conversations.
As for the current condition at the USA while facing coronavirus, the US ambassador said that her country is taking this crisis seriously. “ As the US President, Donald Trump said last Friday, the US community invests all scientific, government, medical and military resources to overcome the virus”, she said.
She added that “US corporations are lading in the field of developing life-saving pharmaceutical productions, including vaccines, and development of medical devices, remarking that these corporations are focusing their capabilities at present to combat the novel coronavirus as they have already reached scientific inventions in the field of fast testing for example”.
She confirmed that the governments of the USA and the State of Kuwait will continue coordination regarding bringing these new techniques to the State of Kuwait as soon as possible.
KUNA
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499 Residents Left Kuwait on Board of 4 Flights
Authorities at Kuwait International Airport continued the evacuation flights for residents, who are desirous to leave the country amid effective precautionary arrangements.
Yesterday 4 flights left Kuwait International Airport boarding 499 expats, 3 flights to Doha and one to Turkey.
The first flight was Qatar Airways, which boarded 20 expats of various nationalities as it will arrive Doha and then to New York. They were detected prior to entry to the airport.
The second flight for transporting expats was Qatar Airway as it left to Doha and then to various destinations, boarding 120 passengers.
The third flight was Qatar Airways to Doha and then to various destinations boarding 112 passengers.
The fourth flight was Turkish Airways from Kuwait to Turkey boarding 247 Turkish passengers.
In this regard, Canada ambassador to Kuwait, Louis-Pierre Emond said that
“Canada embassy is pleased of this opportunity to work with Qatar Airways and with our friends in the embassy of Australia, the embassy of Japan and the US embassy to give our citizens the opportunity to return home based on their desire.
Therefore, we are pleased to see the airplane taking off today as well as more than 50 Canadian citizens on board of this airplane and they want to return home to Dover and Montreal”.
It was a great honor to us to work with Qatar Airways. They were very cooperative with us to achieve this. Surely, we appreciate the assistance of the Kuwaiti government, which did its best to curb the outbreak of this virus.
Meanwhile, ambassador of Australia to Kuwait, Jonathan Gilbert said that “we have nearly 20 Australian citizens and some citizens from New Zealand who are desirous to return home”, remarking that “as you know, flights have been suspended here in Kuwait since March 13. Therefore, those Australian citizens are very happy to return home”.
“Australian Embassy staff happy assisting Australians & New Zealanders in Kuwait on specially arranged Qatar Airways flight today, as they return to Sydney
& Auckland. Pleased that Qatar Airways will be flying from Kuwait twice daily till 30 May”, he tweeted.
Al-Anbaa
Amnesty: Today final day for Bangladeshi nationals, Indian applicants start tomorrow
Bangladeshi nationals headed for the third day on Monday to centers set up by the Ministry of Interior to receive expatriates without valid residencies who are wishing to avail an amnesty allowing residency violators to leave the country between April 1 and April 30 without paying any fines or airfare with a chance to return to Kuwait later.
Today is the final day to receive Bangladeshi applicants, after which Indians will be able to apply on April 16 - 20, followed by Sri Lankans on April 21 - 25 and other nationalities on April 26 - 30.
Egyptian nationals were received on April 6 - 10, following a five-day period to receive applicants from the Philippines. The Interior Ministry announced that 5,241 Egyptians applied to avail the amnesty on April 6 - 10, while over 2,000 Filipinos applied on April 1 - 5.
Violators are received from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at the following locations: Male violators are received at Al-Muthanna primary school for boys, Farwaniya, block 1, street 122, while female violators are received at Farwaniya primary school for girls in Farwaniya, block 1, street 76.
Residency violators from all nationalities are also received in two difference locations in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh as follows: Female violators are received at Roufayda Al-Aslameya School - Block 4 - Street 200, while male violators are received at Naeem bin Masod School - Block 4 - Street 250.
Kuwait Times
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ECONOMY
Kuwait Oil Price Drops $ 1.27 to $ 18.69
The Price of Kuwaiti oil barrel drops $ 1.27 to $ 18.69 yesterday (Monday) opposite $ 19.96 last Thursday as per the price announced by KPC.
In global markets, oil prices varied yesterday. The historical agreement to cut oil production reached by OPEC+ wasn’t sufficient to mitigate continuous concerns regarding a sharp drop in demand resulting from the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
OPEC+ succeeded, after four days of talks, to cut oil production by 9.7 million barrels a day in May and June to support oil prices, and this represents 10% of global supplies.
Brent crude prices were up 26 cents or 0.8% to $ 31.74 pb. Meanwhile, TWI dropped 35 cents or 1.5% to $ 22.41 pb.
Al-Jareeda
Boursa Kuwait Stocks Listing in Market Postponed
Boursa Kuwait Company announced on Monday postponing listing its stocks in the official stock market, tentatively scheduled on April 19, to another date to be set later.
It said in a statement the move was taken due to extraordinary circumstances resulting from the novel coronavirus, namely suspension of regular work hours at government departments. The company indicated that setting a new dating for listing the shares would require approval of the Capital Market Authority, affirming that stakeholders would be informed about any development in this regard.
The company was established in April 2014 according to a decision by the CMA.
Boursa Kuwait replaced Kuwait stock exchange, turning into the official bourse effective April 25, 2016.
KUNA
Resuming Work at T2: LIMAK
Limak Compnay for Constructions emphasized that the works of the new Kuwait International Airport (T2) are going on with full commitment to the instructions of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health and other official entities in Kuwait in view of the exceptional conditions in the country due to the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
“ I’d like to thank the government of the State of Kuwait in general and the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Public Works in particular for their efforts and wise decisions for the interest of the country. We would like also to thank Turkish Ministry of Health and Turkish ambassador as well as embassy staff for their support”, said Mr. Fayez Ginch, the executive board member at the company.
“All the precautionary and preventive measures adopted by Limak are compatible with the instructions of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health and other formal entities in Kuwait”. In view of these developments, the company gave its staff working in Kuwait a free choice of returning home and ending their services in accordance with Kuwait labor law. Only 6,9% of the employees chose to return home (and they have been already evacuated) from the total number of employees working at the airport. This proves the precautionary measures adopted by Kuwait”, he added.
Al-Anbaa
Production, Export and Marketing Are Going On Not Impacted by Coronavirus Repercussions: Petrochemical Industries Company
Mr. Mutleq Al-Azmi, the CEO of Petrochemical Industries Company said that production, export and marketing operations are going on in the company and were not impacted by the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) after successfully launching the emergency plan, and adopting a number of precautionary measures based on instructions of Kuwait Petroleum Company (KPC).
Al-Azmi confirmed to Kuwait News Agency today (Wednesday) that the company is keen on continuing its financial and administrative works, and following-up its internal and external partnerships to ensure continuity of its
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businesses profitability while being committed to downsize the number of labor at sites in accordance with the current health conditions.
Further, he pointed out that the company has adopted a number of procedures to resume marketing operations, including focusing on providing annual-contracts- clients with the biggest possible quantities in high consumption markets like Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey and South East Asia.
Further, he indicated that targeting far markets like South America are Africa are among the procedures adopted by the company. In addition, it tries to launch new sale points, and monitors the Chinese markets and provides it with the biggest possible quantities due to high consumption, especially that some factories in China come back to work.
Al-Azmi pointed out that poly propylene factories, which are owned and run by the company in Al-Shuyaba region work well. Labor in these factories adopt all the precautionary and preventive procedures to protect themselves from COVID- 19 disease.
He added that since the outset of the coronavirus crisis, the Petrochemical Industries Company communicated with all suppliers and asked them to provide the substances that are necessary for production, packaging and exporting for the upcoming six months as a precautionary measure. Further, it communicated with all clients to ensure their orders and transfer cancelled orders to other clients.
Moreover, he pointed out to the commitment of the company to enforce the decisions of the Kuwaiti Cabinet regarding combating coronavirus, which is sweeping the world at present in order to avoid this critical phase.
Additionally, he indicated that the company has launched an awareness campaign via social media on coronavirus, and it provided masks, cleaners and sanitizers for all labor. Besides, it sanitized the main building of the company and the polypropylene factories.
He added that despite suspension of the works of the company, the work mechanism is still going on from the various sites.
KUNA
Kuwait small business owners hit hard by pandemic, face bankruptcy
The coronavirus crisis has hit almost all businesses in Kuwait and the entire world. But small businesses have been the most affected, as for most entrepreneurs it’s the only source of livelihood, and most of them will not be able to survive several months of closure.
Some businesses are able to somehow operate partially with online or delivery services, but many other businesses don’t have this service or they’re not allowed to provide deliveries if their activities are banned by the government during the coronavirus shutdown. Kuwait Times interviewed owners of two small businesses that were subject to complete closure, as their services cannot be delivered.
Fatma Offtada, owner of by Offtada beauty salon in Sabah AlSalem, shut her salon in early March due to the government decision. According to this decision, she is also not allowed to provide home services. Fatma launched her business less than three years ago. She took a loan of KD 25,000, which has not been repaid yet. “I have four employees working in my small salon.
As I had to close the salon, and don’t have another source of income, I could only pay the staff half of their salaries. I don’t have any revenues, but they also have to receive something to survive. I will pay them the rest of the salary after we open the salon again,” she told Kuwait Times. “Also, the landlord didn’t inform me of any rent relief, although the salon only operated for a few days in March.
After I wrote a letter to him explaining the situation, he agreed to waive the rent for April.
But if this situation goes on longer, I won’t be able to survive and will have to wind up my business. My business is still new and I haven’t finished repaying the loan and haven’t made any profits yet. I told the staff if any of them wants to leave, she can do so, but the problem is that there are no other salons open,” Fatma said.
Kuwait Times
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DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
House Quarantine for Arrivals Will Be Controlled by “A Special App”
The Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah said that the government is going on in its efforts that aim to evacuate citizens abroad to return home safe.
“Return of citizens abroad is one of the most significant issues that has to be achieved as per the noble instructions of His Highness the Amir, who is concerned that those citizens have to be with their beloved ones in the Holy month of Ramadan. This desire will be achieved soon and the government will continue its work till the return of all citizens”, said Al-Jarallah in a press statement.
“Starting from April 19, the first evacuation phase will be effective on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to evacuate citizens from GCC countries, Cairo and Turkey. Then, the second phase will be effective on April 23 from all parts of the world, and this phase will include preparation of medical beds and life support devices. The third phase will be from April 25to April 30, however, the fourth phase will be from May 01 to May 04. The fifth phase will be dedicated to private jets”, he added.
As for land crossings, he said, “we’re still waiting Ministry of Health’s instructions in this regard, remarking that house quarantine for arrivals will be controlled with a special app, which will enable both the MOH and the MOI to track all arrivals, who have been quarantined at home. There will be accurate follow-up, and they will be under control. Any of them who have symptoms will be referred to hospital quarantine”.
Further, he emphasized that the Foreign Ministry works in an integrated system in cooperation with the health authorities in the country to return citizens abroad.
He remarked “We’re waiting for the green light from the MOH in each phase of citizens’ evacuation. Now, we got a green light, and we have set all the comprehensive plans to secure their return”. He pointed out that the Foreign Ministry in cooperation with the concerned authorities don’t spare any effort to return citizens from abroad.
Al-Jarallah added that the government, represented by MOFA will continue provision of full medical care to all Kuwaitis abroad till their return to their home land.
As for students and some cases, who are desirous to continue abroad, especially graduates, Al-Jarallah said that the government appreciates the condition of this category, and is keen on their academic future. Therefore, it will follow-up their condition, and they will have special settlement, especially after completion of all evacuation phases.
Al-Jareeda
Launching Appointment Booking System for Shopping in 6 Coops Cancelling all tentative appointments booked previously
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced yesterday the launch of shopping appointment booking system in cooperation societies for six regions, including Al-Faihaa, Al-Rawdha, Al-Zahraa, Hadia, Ishbilia, and Al-Naieem, and the other regions will be added regularly.
“This launch is the first phase of appointment booking system, remarking that the tentative electronic system has been suspended and all tentative appointments that have been previously booked were cancelled due to development of the system based on remarks of citizens and expats”, said the Ministry in a statement yesterday.
It stated that the first phase will be via the coops that operates the appointment system, starting from 5 pm till 12 pm effective from yesterday.
It emphasized that this booking doesn’t authorize citizens or expats to get out from the regions of their residence, however, it allows them only to visit the coops of their regions at the time booked via the system.
Al-Jareeda
Inaugurating Coop. Branch in Mahboula to Avoid Isolation Repercussions Minister of Social Affairs and State Minister for Economic Affairs, Mariam Al- Aqeel inaugurated yesterday a branch of Al-Fintas Cooperation Society at Anova International School in Al-Mahboula region.
Al-Aqeel emphasized in a press statement upon inauguration that sale points inside the region, whether groceries or supermarkets don’t meet the needs of the
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people and residents of Mahboula, remarking that this urged us to quickly inaugurate a cooperation society branch to meet the needs of the residents of the region.
Al-Jareeda
100 Beds in “Coronavirus” Units at Mubarak, Adan, Farwaniya and Amiri Hospitals
Minister of Health Sheikh Dr. Basel Al-Sabah inaugurated field emergency unit for combating the novel coronavirus at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital yesterday with the attendance of the Undersecretary Dr. Mostafa Reda, Assistant Undersecretary for Engineering Affairs and Projects, Engineer Ibrahim Al- Naham, and Director of Hawally Health Region, Dr. Humoud Al-Zubi.
Engineer, Ibrahim Al-Naham announced the operation of the Field Emergency Unit to combat “Coronavirus” at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, remarking that it includes 20 beds.
Al-Naham said in a press statement to journalists that this unit will be an affiliate to the Emergency Department at the Hospital. Further, he remarked that there are similar units in Adan, Farwniya and Amiri hospitals.
He added that each unit includes 20 beds, and thus the total number of beds for the five units reaches nearly 100 beds, remarking that all units have been prepared within 5 days based on the instructions of the Minister of Health Dr. Basel Al- Sabah.
Al-Anbaa
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/
