December 13th; 2020
News Summary Report
External Affairs
Europe Commends Kuwait’s Efforts to Achieve GCC Reconciliation
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad sent two cables, one to President of the Republic of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, and another for President of Burkina Faso, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, where he expressed his sincere congratulations on the occasion of the National Day of their countries, hoping them all health, and more progress and prosperity for both countries.
Meanwhile, Mr. Piero Fassino, Head of the Italian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee hailed Kuwait’s role in resolving the Gulf rift and other conflicts through dialogue.
Kuwait Embassy to Italy said in a statement that Kuwait’s ambassador Sheikh Azzam Al-Sabah met with Fassino at the Headquarter of the Italian Parliament on Friday to discuss the latest regional and international issues and bilateral relations.
The statement indicated that the head of the Parliamentary Committee hails the persistent efforts exerted by the State of Kuwait and the development achieved to end the GCC rift thanks to its balanced and wise foreign policy.
Further, he stressed on Itlay’s concern on all the government and parliamentary levels and its continuity to support the Kuwaiti issue at the European Union regarding exemption of Kuwaiti citizens from travel visas to European Schengen region.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Azzam Al-Sabah commended Italy’s positive attitudes towards Kuwait, remarking that Kuwait and Italy are adopting a similar approach towards support of peace and stability and reconciliation of disputes via dialogue and political action.
Further, he stressed that Kuwait’s efforts to settle the GCC rift are based on the wisdom of the GCC leaders and on their belief in its unity as a strategic inevitable choice to handle challenges and global entitlements.
In Brague, manager of MENA Region Department at Czech Foreign Ministry Peter Haladeck hailed Kuwait’s efforts to settle the GCC rift.
Further, last Saturday, the European Union commended the efforts exerted by the State of Kuwait to settle the GCC rift and to achieve reconciliation and achieve GCC and Arab solidarity and stability.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus expressed its welcoming attitude of Kuwait’s efforts to achieve reconciliation among GCC countries. Further, it voiced Cyprus’s strong support to the Kuwaiti efforts that aim to achieve re-unity, hailing also the role of the USA along with Kuwait’s efforts in this regard.
Al-Rai
The GCC Summit on January 5th in Riyadh
Kuwaiti diplomatic sources stressed to Al-Rai Newspaper that the upcoming GCC Council Summit will be held on the Saudi Capital Al-Riyadh on January 5th.
Sources said that the summit will see attendance of GCC leaders, and it will not be held virtually, remarking that GCC reconciliation will be at the top of the agenda, especially after positive developments in this issue.
Al-Rai
Qatar Showed Great Feasibility Towards Kuwait’s Pursuits to Settle the GCC Crisis
US Deputy Foreign Minister for GCC Affairs Timothy Lenderking stressed on the importance of the GCC region for his country. He recalled the five strategic dialogues done by the USA with the countries of the region since last September.
Further, he stressed that “Qatar is a key partner with the USA and that it has showed great feasibility to the Kuwaiti and US pursuits to settle the GCC rift”.
This active action with countries of the region is an evidence on the strength of our relations with the GCC states, similarity of interests and fruitful cooperation in order to coordinate all regional and international issues, especially in filling possible gaps that might be abused by Iran to destabilize the security and stability of the region,
especially with the continuing smuggling of weapons to Houthis in Yemen to target civilians in Saudi Arabia.
He pointed out that the USA has many things in common with the GCC states, remarking to the progress achieved in the field of anti-human trafficking and labor rights in the GCC. Moreover, he indicates that cultural exchange is the cornerstone that connects his country with peoples’ of the region. He also said that Kuwait is an extremely important partner.
“I’m glad that I have visited it twice in the last two months, and we’re sad for the demise of the late Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad. The current Amir is a strong partner for us. We’re optimistic of enhancing our bilateral relations, especially in security and anti-terrorism”, he said remarking that Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nasser discussed the issue of Iraq and its stability during his last visit to the USA.
Also, he pointed out that “GCC countries have great contributions in anti-terrorism.
Bahrain hosts the headquarter of the fifth fleet, Qatar hosts the US forces at Al- Adeed base, and Kuwait hosts them in Arifjan Camp and Ali Al-Salem Airbase”.
“Iran is continuing to exacerbate combat in Yemen by means of smuggling arms to Yemen. Moreover, Houthis are continuing to launch drones on the Saudi lands, and this indicates that they don’t favor peace”, he added.
“Many US envoys have attended to the region to support Kuwait’s efforts to settle the rift. We hope that diplomatic relations return back between GCC countries soon”, he said when asked about the latest developments in the US efforts to settle the GCC rift.
Al-Rai
Kuwait Affirms Necessity of Boosting UN Relief Aid
The State of Kuwait has reaffirmed necessity of UN-provided humanitarian aid’s rapid coordination in catastrophe-afflicted regions to save as many lives as possible Relief assistance has become much more significant in view of mounting conflicts and catastrophes throughout the world, thus international partnerships at this level has turned very much warranted, said Counsellor Tahani Al-Nasser.
Counsellor Al-Nasser was addressing the State of Kuwait statement in front of the United Nations General Assembly session, tackling means of boosting coordination of humanitarian and relief help given by the UN worldwide.
Passion for philanthropic action has characterized Kuwait since its establishment and has turned into a feature of its foreign policy, known as “the humanitarian diplomacy”, Counsellor Al-Nasser affirmed, noting that the UN designation of the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as leader of Humanitarian Action deeply underscored necessity of Kuwait’s humanitarian aid for more than half a century.
Kuwait has shouldered its regional-international responsibility as Center of Humanitarian Action (also designated by the UN), with continuous support for diverse humanitarian cases across the globe, staying a breast of events, crises and disasters.
Proportion of the humanitarian aid provided by Kuwait doubled as compared to the internationally agreed quotas, she said, affirming keenness in this respect on bolstering Kuwait’s humanitarian and development approach at the official and grass-root levels, ultimately to deliver Kuwait’s aloft humanitarian message that depicts genuine values and principles of the Kuwaiti people.
The Counsellor has continued, saying that Kuwait since 2008, has addressed 10% of the whole allotted aid through UN agencies to the UN emergency response fund, with $ 1 million. Its voluntary contribution for next year amounted $ 1 million, intended for the Higher Commission for Refugees and two $ million for the UN Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
Regarding the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Counsellor Al-Nasser said Kuwait had hurriedly contributed with $ 290 million to ensure continuity of the fight against the contagion, backing stricken nations and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Moreover, Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has given assistance to sisterly and friendly countries, supported establishment of an epidemic treatment center in Africa and delayed due payments for the fund from May 1 to December 31. In total, Kuwait’s contributions at this level have amounted to $ 287.4 million.
KUNA
Domestic Affairs
Approving Pfizer Vaccine This Week
While the FDA has licensed the anti-COVID-19 vaccine, Kuwait started its field procedures to approve it this week in order to get the first shipment of the vaccine soon and start vaccination.
Dr. Khaled Al-Saied, member of COVID-19 Vaccines at the Ministry of Health disclosed to Al-Jareeda that the Panel will hold a meeting this week in order to approve the vaccine and start the vaccination process (by a rate of 10,000 persons a day) pursuant to certain priorities. He pointed out that priority will be given to front line employees, medical staff, persons with chronic diseases and the elderly (who are estimated to be 120,000 persons), however, they might be less as some of them might not desire to be vaccinated.
Al-Saied added that the ministry has activated electronic booking to organize the mechanism of vaccination. He urged those who are desirous to be vaccinated, irrespective of their age of health status to register on the website, and a competent team will consider the applications to determine priorities based on the rules set by the MOH.
Further, he indicated that the vaccine that will be used by Kuwait gives 50%
protection after two weeks from the first dose, and then 95% after one week of the second dose for all cases.
Al-Jareeda
High Turnout to Book Appointments for Vaccination
While preparations are going on at the fairground that is dedicated to receive citizens and expats desirous to take COVID-19 vaccine, health sources disclosed to Al-Qabas that there is high turnout on the ministry’s website to book an appointment for citizens and expats desirous to be vaccinated by anti-COVID-19 vaccine upon its arrival to Kuwait.
Sources said that this turnout reflects strong awareness of citizens and expats, especially after Pfizer vaccine gets a license of emergency use, and also after its successful and safe clinical trials – Al-Qabas
KD 9.6 Mln Revenues from Expats’ Residence Fees
Formal statements indicated that the public budget for the country for the current fiscal year 2020/2021 will achieve KD 9.6 million, which will be rated as revenues from expats residence fees, and specifically from domestic labor residence and family visas.
Data indicates that the total fees expected to be collected will include KD 3.35 million from domestic labor fees, who live in the country pursuant to the residence law, article 20, along with KD 6.25 million from the family visas, which are collected from residents pursuant to Article 22.
According to data issued by the Public Authority for Civil Information, the number of domestic labor reaches 744.2 thousand, and nearly 92% of them are from 4 main nationalities: 47.4% from the Indian nationality, 21.4% from the Philippine, 12%
from Bangladesh, and 10.9% from Sri Lanka.
Al-Rai
The DGCA Grants Egypt the Greenlight to Operate Egyptians’ Return Flights from Kuwait
Al-Anbaa newspaper has been informed by official sources that the Department General of Civil Aviation has sent a letter to Egypt Air indicating that Kuwait has no objection of starting return flights to Egypt directly as a first step to start direct operation in both destinations after preparing the health precautions and procedures related to tests and quarantine to limit the outbreak of COVDI-19.
Sources said that the response of the DGCA is considered as an important step to start operation of direct flights between the two countries soon.
Al-Anbaa
Necessity of the Government’s Commitment to the People’s Will: Al-Khalifa Meeting
MP Marzouq Al-Khalifa said that the MPs’ meeting that was held at his Diwan yesterday noon is a renewal of recommendation of MP Bader Al-Humaidi for the position of the Speaker of the National Assembly.
He added after the meeting that MPs emphasized that it is essential for the government to be committed to the people’s will, and the parliamentary attitude,
which includes 42 MPs. He pointed out that this is a historical precedent as more than 90% of the Parliament Support Speaker Al-Humaidi, and no one of the MPs could recommend the ex-Speaker of the National Assembly.
“We stress on the necessity of the government’s commitment to the people’s will on changing the speaker, and we emphasize on giving our hand to cooperate with the government. If the government has an attitude towards the speaker, then we will have another attitude”, he said
Al-Khalifa stressed that December 15 is the day of reform and cooperation with the government.
Al-Anbaa
Economy Money Laundry Figures Are Shocking!
Participants at “Electronic Al-Qabas” Conference titled “ To Protect Kuwait From Becoming Money Laundry Backyard” agreed on the necessity to be fully prepared to review Kuwait’s rating in 2022. They stressed that the global figures of money laundry raise concern, and requires more toughness to face such crimes locally.
They pointed out that there is deficiency in the performance of some auditory authorities. Further, they stated that there is an urgent need to update legislations in view of development of crimes, and creation of new approaches to hack the banking system.
The Editor-in-Chief Waleed Abdullatif Al-Nesf stressed that the issue of money laundry is a global and not a local one, and highly developed European countries like Germany and France suffer from it. He remarked that 4 or 5 great banks have been fined nearly $ 10 billion during 15 months. However, the market value of the financial crimes from which money laundry crime emerges exceeded $ 2 billion.
Moreover, he pointed out that in 2016 only, money laundry crimes reached $ 4 trillion, which is equivalent to 7% of the national income of all countries of the world.
He pointed out that such figures are shocking and reflect the magnitude of such crimes globally.
He indicated that expansion of such crimes to Kuwait threatens its financial reputation, remarking that many crimes involved money laundry, including for example “real estate fraud”, “ the Bengali MP”, and the 1MDB.
He pointed out that Kuwait is in a late position on some global indicators, and it is always not available at Bazel Anti-Money Laundry Index (The Basel AML Index) despite the fact that African countries with less capabilities than Kuwait are available on it.
Meanwhile, Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait Dr. Mohammad Al-Hashel said,
“No doubt, the global figures of the magnitude of funds used in money laundry worldwide
Al-Qabas
Kuwait Oil Price Up 1,37 to $ 50.06 pb
The price of Kuwaiti oil went up by $ 1.37 to $ 50.06 pb on Friday after being at
$ 48,69 pb the previous day, said the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) Saturday.
At the global level, the price of the Brent crude went down by 28 cents to $ 49,97 pb, the same case with the West Texas Intermediate, which went down by 21 cents to $ 46,57 pb
KUNA
Sovereign Contingent Liabilities in the GCC
Fitch Ratings expects government-related-entity (GRE) debt to continue to rise in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies as governments use GREs to drive economic development and support budgetary priorities at a time of weak oil revenues. Economic contraction in 2020 will exacerbate leverage ratios and magnify the risks of GRE liabilities crystallizing on government balance sheets.
GRE Debt Rose in 2019 We estimate that aggregate GCC non-bank GRE debt hit 30% of GDP in 2019 (an increase of 3pp over 2018, excluding the effect of reclassifying airlines’ financial lease liabilities). Debt ranged from 14% of GDP in Kuwait to 45% of GDP in the UAE.
Aggregate debt of GCC government-related banks (wholesale or interbank funding, excluding customer deposits) rose to 17% of GDP in 2019 and ranged from 14% of GDP in Bahrain to 46% of GDP in Qatar in 2019. The upper limit of potential contingent liabilities from banks is even larger, with sector assets ranging from 88%
of GDP in Saudi Arabia to 244% of GDP in Qatar.
Al-Qabas Sources:
KUNA - https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2942397 Al-Rai - https://www.alraimedia.com/
Al-Qabas - https://alqabas.com/
Al-Anbaa - https://www.alanba.com.kw/newspaper/
Al-Jareeda - https://www.aljarida.com/
Al-Seyassa - https://www.alseyassahonline.com/
Arab Times - http://www.arabtimesonline.com/news/1st-dec-6/