
Crown Prince to represent Amir at economic forum in Malaysia
KUWAIT CITY, May 20 : Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousuf Saud Al-Sabah chaired the weekly meeting of the Cabinet at Bayan Palace on Tuesday. In a statement after the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sherida Abdullah Al- Muasherji disclosed that the Cabinet was informed at the beginning of the meeting that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah assigned His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah , may Allah protect him, to represent His Highness the Amir at the second summit and economic forum of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the People's Republic of China that will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 26-28, 2025.
His Highness the Amir, may Allah protect him, met with the heads of several brotherly and friendly countries to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and activate joint cooperation between the State of Kuwait and the aforementioned countries in various fields. During the meeting, the Cabinet reviewed the letters from the Amiri Diwan addressed to His Highness the Amir. The Cabinet also decided to name the building of the Citizenship and Passports Affairs General Department after the late Sulaiman Mishaan Al-Mishaan, in appreciation and recognition of his efforts during his tenure and his role in developing work systems in the Citizenship and Passports Sector at the Ministry of Interior.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Saud Al-Omar briefed the Cabinet on the meeting of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al- Hamad Al-Sabah with Judson BezekAlthoff -- Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Microsoft Corporation -- during the latter's visit to the State of Kuwait on Tuesday. The meeting focused on the implementation of the strategic partnership between the State of Kuwait and Microsoft Corporation with the aim of building an integrated digital system capable of keeping pace with global developments, enhancing the quality of government services, and creating an environment conducive to innovation and investment.
They discussed the empowerment of national cadres through specialized training programs in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and advanced technologies, thus, strengthening the role of the Kuwaiti workforce in leading the transformation towards a competitive and sustainable digital economy. Moreover, based on the government's commitment to monitor housing projects, the Cabinet reviewed the periodic report submitted by the Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) regarding the implementation status of the work of government agencies involved in providing housing project services. The Cabinet assigned PAHW, in cooperation with the relevant government agencies, to proceed with the implementation of housing projects and the relevant services according to the timetable prepared for this purpose. It then reviewed a number of topics on the agenda and decided to approve them. It also decided to refer a number of items to the concerned ministerial committees for study and preparation of reports on them to complete the necessary procedures for their implementation. (KUNA)
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Arab Times
20 minutes ago
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Kuwait Amir congratulates Saudi King, Crown Prince on Hajj success
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Arab Times
an hour ago
- Arab Times
Your Highness the Prime Minister, the thread and needle are in your hands. So what's next? Either work or leave
YOUR HIGHNESS the Prime Minister, Your Excellency, the Minister of Finance, and Your Excellency, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, if boosting the gross domestic product is truly a top priority for the state, then it must think outside the box, and avoid recycling outdated solutions. Introducing fees and taxes will not yield results during an economic downturn, especially amid limited commercial activity, the absence of a clear structural development plan in all sectors, and a halt in reforming laws that hinder investment, such as the usufruct law, which still contains several obstacles, along with other legislation needed to stimulate growth in industry, agriculture, and various vital services. Shuwaikh Industrial Area and other industrial zones are clear examples in this regard. I urge His Highness the Prime Minister, along with the Ministers of Finance and Commerce and Industry, to visit these areas and witness firsthand the scale and vibrancy of economic activities being driven entirely by individual efforts, with minimal government involvement, while the government remains occupied with issues that provoke public concern and contribute to social unrest. In Shuwaikh Industrial area, as in all similar areas, there are many activities that attract investors. These businesses operate almost entirely through the efforts of expatriate residents. Citizens are largely absent from these activities, benefiting only through rental income or by investing in licenses issued to them. As a result, a huge portion of profits is transferred abroad. Foreign workers, employees, and investors lack the motivation to remain in Kuwait long-term due to the absence of incentives found in neighboring countries, such as policies that support entrepreneurship, encourage innovation, and ensure economic stability. In countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, investors are offered strong incentives, attracting many Kuwaiti companies to invest there. In contrast, Kuwait ties usufruct rights to the annual renewal of licenses, creating uncertainty for factory and facility owners and discouraging them from investing in development. Therefore, the Council of Ministers should focus on utilizing the labor force represented by stateless residents (Bedoun) and those whose citizenship has been revoked, rather than relying solely on decisions to revoke citizenship and suppress creativity. To be clear, I am not referring to those who lost their citizenship due to fraud or dual nationality. I hope the government encourages the Bedoun residents and those whose citizenship has been revoked to work in these areas, and makes them feel secure, so they can spend their money inside Kuwait. I suggest the government offer investors the option to purchase industrial and commercial plots during a specific grace period, similar to the system in Saudi Arabia, or will become a fair partner in the rental value. This approach would kill two birds with a stone. Also, Saudi Arabia provides tax incentives for industrial, agricultural, and renewable energy projects. It is true that in recent years, some parliamentary blocs have attempted to obstruct development under flimsy pretexts, but their real aim was to secure a 'share of the cake' or fuel disputes between MPs and ministers. Today, ministerial positions have largely stabilized, giving ministers significant potential to drive development and amend obstructive, outdated laws enacted during previous National Assembly terms. Indeed, several laws need reconsideration, and Kuwait must break free from the constraints imposed by the stagnation of innovative ideas that encourage investment and the growth of the national economy. We have repeatedly stated that undeveloped land holds little value unless facilities are established on it and profitable production is achieved. Only then does its value increase significantly. Moreover, trademarks gain importance as indicators of economic strength and stability. Unfortunately, in Kuwait, these matters are often treated as if they were mere market transactions, rather than issues of national significance. Your Highness the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers can no longer claim any excuse for failing to develop the economy. The Cabinet now holds 'the thread and the needle' in its hands and has full control over the process. The Council today combines both legislative and executive powers. Therefore, either work or leave!