Exhibition promotes Czechia's scenic destinations, cuisine
Ambassador Chmiel noted that Kuwaitis are discovering more of Czechia's natural beauty, far beyond its traditional wellness offerings. 'I think Kuwait is becoming more like my own country in terms of the interest people are showing. And I truly hope even more tourists will come,' he said.
On the diplomatic front, the ambassador revealed that high-level engagement continues between the two countries, stating: 'We are preparing for the EU-GCC Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting and also the 9th EU–GCC Business Forum, which will take place in early November.'
During the exhibition, which featured photographs showcasing the natural and architectural beauty of Czechia, Ambassador Chmiel drew comparisons between the two countries. 'Kuwait has pearls under the sea; we have pearls above,' he said.
KUWAIT: The exhibition features photographs showcasing the natural and architectural beauty of Czechia.
Discussing Czech cuisine, the ambassador said Kuwaiti visitors have responded enthusiastically to local dishes. One particular favorite, he said, is knedlíky, a traditional Czech dumpling often served with beef goulash.
He also highlighted other specialties such as grilled or fried cheese with boiled potatoes and tartar sauce. For beverages, he recommended Czech non-alcoholic beers and wines.
Ambassador Chmiel praised Kuwaiti cuisine for its richness. 'What I hate about Kuwaiti food,' he joked, 'Is that I'm gaining weight. It's so good! But I can guarantee that Kuwaitis visiting Czechia will gain weight too, because our food is excellent. Luckily, they can burn it off with a bit of hiking.'
He added: 'Our medieval towns, castles, and historic cityscapes provide perfect opportunities for walking and exploring.' He added that Prague Castle, the largest castle complex in Europe and the official seat of the Czech president, is also open to tourists. 'You may even spot the president walking there and take a photo with him. It's a very unique experience,' he said.
Talks are already underway to expand flight options, the ambassador said. 'Negotiations with airlines are ongoing,' he explained. 'They are considering the Prague route, but two factors are key: A new terminal and acquiring new aircraft. This is a global challenge not just in Kuwait as there's growing demand but a shortage of planes.'
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Kuwait Times
16 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Exhibition promotes Czechia's scenic destinations, cuisine
KUWAIT: The Embassy of Czech Republic to Kuwait held a cultural exhibition titled 'Summer Afternoon Cup of Tea Party with the Touch of Czechia's Beauties', on Wednesday. During the event, Czech Ambassador Juraj Chmiel expressed optimism about the growing ties between Czechia and Kuwait, particularly in tourism and cultural exchange. 'This exhibition is part of the presentation of the Czech Republic. I am unsure whether Czechia still needs an introduction, as each year we welcome between 8,000 to 10,000 Kuwaiti visitors mostly during the summer,' he said. 'They come to our health spas, rehabilitation centers, and increasingly, to enjoy our forests, lakes, dams, and rivers.' Ambassador Chmiel noted that Kuwaitis are discovering more of Czechia's natural beauty, far beyond its traditional wellness offerings. 'I think Kuwait is becoming more like my own country in terms of the interest people are showing. And I truly hope even more tourists will come,' he said. On the diplomatic front, the ambassador revealed that high-level engagement continues between the two countries, stating: 'We are preparing for the EU-GCC Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting and also the 9th EU–GCC Business Forum, which will take place in early November.' During the exhibition, which featured photographs showcasing the natural and architectural beauty of Czechia, Ambassador Chmiel drew comparisons between the two countries. 'Kuwait has pearls under the sea; we have pearls above,' he said. KUWAIT: The exhibition features photographs showcasing the natural and architectural beauty of Czechia. Discussing Czech cuisine, the ambassador said Kuwaiti visitors have responded enthusiastically to local dishes. One particular favorite, he said, is knedlíky, a traditional Czech dumpling often served with beef goulash. He also highlighted other specialties such as grilled or fried cheese with boiled potatoes and tartar sauce. For beverages, he recommended Czech non-alcoholic beers and wines. Ambassador Chmiel praised Kuwaiti cuisine for its richness. 'What I hate about Kuwaiti food,' he joked, 'Is that I'm gaining weight. It's so good! But I can guarantee that Kuwaitis visiting Czechia will gain weight too, because our food is excellent. Luckily, they can burn it off with a bit of hiking.' He added: 'Our medieval towns, castles, and historic cityscapes provide perfect opportunities for walking and exploring.' He added that Prague Castle, the largest castle complex in Europe and the official seat of the Czech president, is also open to tourists. 'You may even spot the president walking there and take a photo with him. It's a very unique experience,' he said. Talks are already underway to expand flight options, the ambassador said. 'Negotiations with airlines are ongoing,' he explained. 'They are considering the Prague route, but two factors are key: A new terminal and acquiring new aircraft. This is a global challenge not just in Kuwait as there's growing demand but a shortage of planes.'
Kuwait Times
17 hours ago
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Kuwait's oil sector embraces AI with new Innovation Center
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Arab Times
19 hours ago
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Kuwait's fishermen sound alarm over shrinking catch, high costs
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 7: Fish resources are one of the country's renewable natural resources, serving as a staple food for a large segment of the Kuwaiti population and playing a vital role in strengthening national food security. As a result, the relevant authorities are keen about developing this vital sector and sustainably increasing its production. Despite the optimism among officials and fishermen about this year's shrimp catch, which appears more abundant than in previous years, Kuwait continues to face major challenges in both production and investment. These have led to a decline in the availability of shrimp and local fish, particularly popular species such as mead and zubaidi. In this context, the daily met with several officials and specialists in the marine fishing sector, who confirmed that government efforts continue to control the market and provide seafood products at reasonable prices. According to the specialists, some of the regulations imposed by the authorities responsible for managing fishing have caused catch quantities to decline threefold, led to the disappearance of important species from the market, most notably mead, and resulted in price increases for others, especially zubaidi. Experts called for reconsidering the designated fishing distance, suggesting it be reduced to between 6 and 7 miles instead of 12, while maintaining strict environmental controls to protect coral reefs and ensure the sustainability of marine life. They also called for opening limited areas within the bay for commercial fishing on a seasonal and controlled basis, aiming to balance environmental protection with food availability. Meanwhile, the Shift A Supervisor at the Sharq Fish Market, affiliated with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Hamoud Al-Hamdi explained that fishermen face major obstacles that directly affect the availability and prices of fish in the market. These challenges are evident from the daily work and constant interaction with fishermen and consumers. He said, 'We live in a restricted fishing reality, imposed by long-distance requirements and high costs, which negatively impact the market and consumers.' In a press statement, Al-Hamdi explained that the number of daily baskets of fish and shrimp used to reach about 700, but today it has decreased to between 200 and 300 baskets on normal days, and only 400 to 500 baskets during the shrimp season, despite the first days of the season witnessing the injection of good quantities amounting to about 20,500 tons of fish and 17,988 tons of local shrimp. The requirement of the Environment Public Authority (EPA) to stay 12 nautical miles away from the nearest land, including Kuwaiti islands such as Failaka and Kubbar, is one of the most significant challenges. This rule forces fishermen to sail for about an hour and a half before they can start fishing, which increases fuel and operating costs. Also, fish often gather close to land, and moving farther away reduces their abundance. Fishermen primarily avoid coral reefs because they damage fishing nets and hinder the trawling process. Reducing the distance to 6 or 7 miles would result in larger catches and lower prices, while still maintaining environmental oversight. Al-Hamdi clarified that the aim of raising these demands is not to interfere with the powers of the relevant authorities, but to present a practical perspective from the field, seeking to balance protecting the marine environment, sustaining fish stocks, and enabling fishermen to operate effectively to serve consumers and achieve food security. He said the year-round closure of Kuwait Bay to fishermen has led to a significant shortage of maid and zubaidi fish, indicating that areas like Subiya used to supply abundant quantities of zubaidi, while mead is primarily found within the bay. Al-Hamdi revealed that the price of a basket of mead used to be no more than KD 6, but due to the severe shortage, it has sometimes soared to KD 120. He stressed that the 'upper' fishing method does not harm coral reefs and poses no environmental risk. Al-Hamdi proposed opening specific areas within the bay for seasonal fishing, lasting between one to three months, under the supervision of the relevant authorities, adding that these areas could then be closed after the season ends to ensure sustainability and prevent overfishing. Furthermore, Chair of the Kuwait Fishermen's Union Abdullah Al-Sarheed agreed with the proposal of Fish Market Supervisor Hamoud Al-Hamdi, stressing the need to reconsider the permitted fishing area and reduce the imposed distance outside the islands from 12 miles to only 6 to 8 nautical miles. He explained that this long distance not only constitutes an economic burden but also exposes fishermen to serious security risks. Several fishing boats were robbed by pirates and robbers in economic waters during the current fishing season, with more than ten incidents recorded, resulting in significant financial losses for boat owners. Reducing the permitted fishing distance will contribute to enhancing security at sea and opening areas to fishermen, which will ease the burden on Coast Guard personnel who continue their efforts to protect fishermen around the clock. Al-Sarheed praised the cooperation of the Ministry of Defense and the General Directorate of Coast Guard in this area. He also called for opening Kuwait Bay for fishing on a seasonal and regulated basis, under the supervision of the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) and EPA. Al-Sarheed stressed that not fishing within the bay for long periods leads to fish death or migration due to the lack of marine soil movement and oxygen renewal. Regarding the protection of coral reefs, Al-Sarheed affirmed that fishermen are fully committed to preserving the marine environment, and that the union implements periodic awareness programs to ensure adherence to best environmental practices. Also, Vice President of the Kuwait Fishermen's Union Jaber Al-Ali described the current fishing season as different in terms of the abundance of catch and the diversity of seafood products. He pointed to an improvement in the quantities of fish and shrimp on offer, which has been reflected in the relative stability of prices. Al-Ali called for opening fishing in Kuwait Bay during specific seasons and under the supervision of regulatory authorities, and for allowing the fishing of mead fish, which often migrates or dies if not caught in time. He considered the failure to benefit from this fish to be a loss for the Kuwaiti consumer. He also supported the proposal to reduce the permitted fishing distance in economic waters to just 6 nautical miles, stressing that this would make fishing trips safer and help reduce incidents of robbery and piracy. Al-Ali affirmed that the Kuwait Fishermen Union is fully prepared to cooperate with the relevant authorities to address the challenges facing the sector, in a way that ensures the sustainability of fish resources, protects fishermen, and preserves this traditional profession that represents the heritage of our forefathers. In addition, all who spoke to the daily agreed that some of EPA's requirements pose direct challenges to fishermen, most notably: - The requirement to stay 12 nautical miles away from the nearest land for shrimp fishing - The ban on commercial fishing within the waters of Kuwait Bay
