
Kuwait Fund finances basic education project in Nigeria
KUWAIT: The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has signed a loan agreement with the Federal Republic of Nigeria to help finance a project aimed at supporting education for out-of-school children in Kaduna State, the fund announced Tuesday. The agreement was signed by Acting Director General of the Kuwait Fund Waleed Al-Bahar and Nigeria's Minister of State for Finance Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite.
In a post on its official account on platform X, the fund said the project seeks to improve education infrastructure by building and rehabilitating schools, expanding access to basic education—particularly for children in need such as girls, adolescents, and those with disabilities—enhancing teacher performance, and strengthening school management systems.—KUNA
On the sidelines of the agreement, Al-Bahar also met with Nigeria's Minister of Housing and Rural Development Ahmed Dangiwa, Executive Secretary for the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children's Education Dr Mohammed Idris, and Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Zulum. The Kuwait Fund, established in 1961 with an initial capital of 50 million Kuwaiti dinars (approximately $163.6 million), was created to assist Arab countries. In 1974, it expanded its reach to include African nations as well. — KUNA
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Kuwait Times
5 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait Fund finances basic education project in Nigeria
KFAED's Waleed Al-Bahar and Nigerian Minister Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite. KUWAIT: The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has signed a loan agreement with the Federal Republic of Nigeria to help finance a project aimed at supporting education for out-of-school children in Kaduna State, the fund announced Tuesday. The agreement was signed by Acting Director General of the Kuwait Fund Waleed Al-Bahar and Nigeria's Minister of State for Finance Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite. In a post on its official account on platform X, the fund said the project seeks to improve education infrastructure by building and rehabilitating schools, expanding access to basic education—particularly for children in need such as girls, adolescents, and those with disabilities—enhancing teacher performance, and strengthening school management systems.—KUNA On the sidelines of the agreement, Al-Bahar also met with Nigeria's Minister of Housing and Rural Development Ahmed Dangiwa, Executive Secretary for the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children's Education Dr Mohammed Idris, and Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Zulum. The Kuwait Fund, established in 1961 with an initial capital of 50 million Kuwaiti dinars (approximately $163.6 million), was created to assist Arab countries. In 1974, it expanded its reach to include African nations as well. — KUNA


Arab Times
7 hours ago
- Arab Times
Kuwait, Netherlands back dialogue for international stability
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 6: Dutch Ambassador to Kuwait Laurens Westhoff described his five-year diplomatic experience in the country as 'rich and full of opportunities.' Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Westhoff reflected on his tenure, which began during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He revealed, 'I arrived in Kuwait at a difficult time -- during the COVID-19 pandemic. Direct communication is vital in diplomacy, and that was initially a challenge. However, I was impressed by the Kuwaiti government's efficiency in managing the health crisis.' Throughout his tenure, Westhoff worked towards strengthening the longstanding ties between the Netherlands and Kuwait. 'Over the past five years, I have sought to strengthen the relationship between our two countries, which dates back more than 60 years. In 2024, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Kuwait,' he added. He pointed out the emergence of new areas of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the energy transition sector. 'We launched an important initiative on transitioning from oil dependency to alternative energy sources, such as solar and hydrogen. This is in collaboration with Kuwait University, Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), along with Dutch experts,' he disclosed. He also expounded on the shared geopolitical realities of the two nations. 'Both the Netherlands and Kuwait are relatively small countries surrounded by larger neighbors — by Britain, Germany, and France; you by Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Iran. This compels us to rely on dialogue, diplomacy and mutual understanding to ensure stability and cooperation,' he stated. He confirmed that trade relations between the two countries have remained robust. He said 'in 2024, Dutch exports to Kuwait reached approximately €845 million, while imports – primarily crude oil – totaled around €1.6 billion through the Port of Rotterdam. This brings the overall volume of bilateral trade to roughly €2.4 billion. The Netherlands also holds a leading position among European countries in terms of direct investments in Kuwait. Dutch investments amount to KD488 million; mostly channeled through companies and investment funds in various sectors like oil, airport infrastructure, information technology, energy, and agriculture.' He praised the growing appreciation among Kuwaitis for the Netherlands as a travel destination. 'Around 14,000 Kuwaiti tourists visit the Netherlands annually. This year, the number reached 7,000 by mid-year alone. Despite our not-so-ideal weather, Kuwaitis seem to enjoy the cold and rain,' he said. He also highlighted the appeal of the Netherlands' compact size, cultural offerings, and ease of travel. 'Although our country is only twice the size of Kuwait, it offers a unique tourism experience— with world-class museums and artworks by Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Vermeer—all within short distances,' he elaborated. On education, Westhoff acknowledged the room for growth. He stated that the number of Kuwaiti students in the Netherlands is modest compared to countries like Canada, due to language and education system differences. 'Nevertheless, we are working hard to develop this aspect. Every Kuwaiti who studies in the Netherlands becomes a cultural ambassador for our bilateral relations,' he asserted. On defense ties, he revealed that training programs for the Kuwaiti naval forces occasionally take place in the Netherlands. There have also been high-level reciprocal visits, including a visit by Undersecretary of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Al-Sabah two years ago. He added that the Dutch Foreign Minister is scheduled to meet with his Kuwaiti counterpart this October. On air travel between the two nations, Westhoff commented on KLM's service suspension. He explained that 'KLM's decision was not related to Kuwait, but rather due to operational challenges at Schiphol Airport. Meanwhile, Kuwait Airways continues to operate three weekly flights to Amsterdam, maintaining strong connectivity.' He also clarified the current visa processing issues. He said the recent changes in visa appointment procedures were introduced by VFS, not the embassy, indicating these adjustments aim to curb the selling of appointments by intermediaries and to ensure transparency. He then revealed that his successor, Veeresh Ramsukh, will assume duties in early September. 'He is a seasoned diplomat of Indian origin, born in Suriname and raised in the Netherlands. Like me, he does not speak Arabic, but that has not been a barrier; as Kuwaitis are proficient in English,' he asserted. In his closing remarks, Westhoff expressed heartfelt appreciation for Kuwait and its people. 'I will miss Kuwait deeply. This experience has enriched my life, and I hope I have contributed to strengthening the ties between our two countries. The Diwaniya is a wonderful idea—welcoming people spontaneously and without formality. My wife and I are even considering starting a similar tradition in our hometown in eastern Holland: opening our home at specific times to friends and neighbors, with coffee and food, just like in Kuwait.'


Arab Times
7 hours ago
- Arab Times
CINET Showcases Its Credit Analytics Experience at the 19th Meeting of the Arab Committee on Credit Information
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 06: Kuwait Credit Information Network Company (CINET) participated in the 19th meeting of the Arab Committee on Credit Information, organized by the Arab Monetary Fund. The event brought together leaders in the credit information industry across the region to discuss current challenges and best practices in credit reporting and scoring services. CINET's participation highlighted how it utilizes data science and artificial intelligence in credit evaluation and risk management, offering valuable insights into the role of data analytics in enhancing institutional decision-making. Representing CINET at the event were Mrs. Mai Bader Al-Owaish, Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Fouzan Y. Al-Sumait, Senior Manager of Data and Artificial Intelligence. They delivered a specialized presentation outlining CINET's experience in data science and analytics, showcasing innovative products that embed advanced analytics into credit information services and demonstrating their impact on financial decision-making and credit stability. CINET is the first credit company in the region to apply this integrated model, underscoring its leadership in leveraging technology to enhance the efficiency of the financial market. The company continues its efforts to deliver advanced solutions, including the recent launch of its new mobile application, which enables individuals to access their full credit facilities—including loans and credit cards, and more—in a transparent, fast, and user-friendly manner, empowering individuals and businesses with smarter financial decision-making tools and more effective risk management. Commenting on the participation, Mrs. Mai B. Al-Owaish said:'Our participation in this meeting reaffirms CINET's commitment to supporting the development of cutting-edge data solutions that address the evolving needs of financial institutions and provide both individuals and organizations with practical tools for accurate and smarter financial decision-making. This platform enables us to share experiences with our peers in the Arab region, highlight our success stories, and explore advanced tools that pave the way for a more data-driven and inclusive credit ecosystem'. Mr. Fouzan Y. Al-Sumait added:'At CINET, we are keen to design data analytics tools that enable financial institutions to understand customer behavior and assess risks accurately, leveraging data science capabilities for strategic growth. We provide precise insights into creditworthiness, credit patterns, and risk exposure. From our experience with financial institutions in Kuwait that use CINET's credit analytics products, it has become clear that effective data strategies is a critical factor in mitigating risks, enhancing financial stability, and achieving sustainable growth'. The Arab Committee on Credit Information, whose secretariat is overseen by the Arab Monetary Fund, operates under the Arab Central Banks and Monetary Authorities' Governors. It includes directors and officials from credit information units within Arab central banks and monetary authorities, along with executives from licensed national credit information companies. CINET's participation reflects its ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence and its vision to reshape the future of credit services in Kuwait and the region through actionable analytics, precision, and cutting-edge innovation.