Latest news with #AhmadAl-Abdullah
Arab Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
His Highness the Prime Minister, congratulations on your visit to Saudi Arabia
The visit of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah to Saudi Arabia came at the right time. Kuwait has recently taken huge steps toward modernizing and developing a series of laws, particularly in the fields of investment and infrastructure, while Riyadh continues to be economically active on multiple fronts. This makes integration between the two countries more important than ever to strengthen trade, development, and investment activity. There is no doubt that Kuwait's delay in joining the Gulf ranks was largely the result of deliberate obstruction by members of previous National Assemblies. During the past two decades, parliamentary representatives repeatedly obstructed major development projects and legislation, often driven by personal interests, as if Kuwait's future were tied to their individual gains. Today, with the dawn of a new era and notable progress in various sectors, the opportunity to establish strong partnerships with Gulf Cooperation Council countries, as a prelude to opening up to the world, has become more attainable. Kuwait possesses substantial capabilities that have long remained underutilized, and now is the time to activate them. This, without a doubt, requires a solid foundation for investment, and Saudi Arabia, a powerhouse in the region, offers vast opportunities that could serve as a major launchpad for revitalizing relations with neighboring states. This is especially true given that, over the past ten years, since King Salman bin Abdulaziz assumed power, the remarkable leadership of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman has propelled the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the forefront of global attention, particularly through the ambitious projects of Vision 2030, the results of which are now beginning to materialize. In this context, the visit by His Highness the Prime Minister was a strategic investment in every sense, signaling a fresh chapter in areas vital to both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. It comes at a time when Kuwait is positioning itself as a Gulf investment engine, actively working to diversify its sources of income and enhance its gross domestic product, which necessitates strong partnerships with the surrounding region first, and the world second. This was reflected in the high-level delegation that accompanied His Highness the Prime Minister to NEOM, especially amid growing discussions about Kuwait's involvement in major regional projects, most notably in the Saudi market. This would represent a major step forward, provided it proceeds without obstacles, as it would establish a strong regional development presence and open the door to investment in various sectors. Undoubtedly, the role of the private sector in both countries will be a cornerstone in this effort, serving to deepen ties between the two peoples and reinforce the principle of cooperation for integration as outlined in the Charter of the Gulf Cooperation Council. In a world undergoing many changes, especially in terms of economic shifts, and in a region as sensitive as ours, strengthening cooperation and integration among GCC countries remains the foremost line of defense for this closely connected and homogeneous group in terms of language, culture, and economic interests. Hence, the visit of His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah to NEOM, which is now a global hub for investors, also reflects the deep-rooted and intimate relationship between the two countries and their peoples. We say to the leaders behind this visit, while the United States may be the engine of the global train, let us strengthen the movement of communication and partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait.
Arab Times
22-07-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait Projects KD 1 Billion Budget Deficit, Vows Reforms
KUWAIT CITY, July 23: Kuwait's Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah, held its weekly meeting at Bayan Palace on Monday, addressing a sweeping agenda that spanned diplomatic relations, environmental initiatives, and financial reforms. The session began with a review of messages sent to His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad, from leaders of allied nations, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation across various sectors. The Cabinet was briefed on the Prime Minister's recent meeting with Egyptian Transport and Industry Minister Kamel Al-Wazir, where both sides explored ways to deepen collaboration between the two nations. In a similar vein, Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef reported on his official visits to Lebanon and Syria, where discussions centered on strengthening security cooperation—particularly in areas such as drug trafficking, organized crime, and intelligence exchange. Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi shared highlights from his official trip to France, which included signing five major agreements with leading Paris-based medical institutions such as Institut Curie and Foch Hospital. He also showcased Kuwait's groundbreaking involvement in a robotic surgery conference in Strasbourg, where a Kuwaiti team performed live remote surgeries—a first for the country and a milestone in its healthcare ambitions. The Cabinet praised these medical advancements, citing them as key milestones in the government's strategy to localize and enhance national healthcare services. Turning to environmental matters, Oil Minister Tariq Al-Roumi and officials from the Environment Public Authority presented Kuwait's new low-carbon roadmap. The long-term plan aims to shield the country from the impacts of climate change while driving green investment and advancing a circular carbon economy. The Cabinet welcomed the initiative as a vital step in Kuwait's push toward sustainable development. On economic matters, Finance Minister and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment Eng. Noura Al-Fassam gave a detailed presentation on the country's 2024–2025 fiscal report. The figures revealed a projected budget deficit of KD 1.056 billion, prompting calls for tighter control on government spending and a renewed push to increase non-oil revenues. The Cabinet also reviewed Kuwait's progress in meeting international standards for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. Top officials from the National Committee and the Kuwait Financial Intelligence Unit participated in the briefing, with ministers urged to complete all outstanding tasks to ensure compliance in upcoming evaluation phases. In additional proceedings, the Cabinet approved several draft decree-laws on final accounts for the current fiscal year and agreed to forward them to His Highness the Amir. The ministers also signed off on several other agenda items, referring some to specialized committees for further review. Finally, the Cabinet approved the latest rulings by the Supreme Committee for the Investigation of Kuwaiti Nationality, which included cases involving the revocation of citizenship under the Kuwaiti Nationality Law of 1959 and its amendments.
Arab Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
PM Chairs Meeting On Power And Water Projects Progress
KUWAIT CITY, June 23: His Highness the Prime Minister, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah, presided over a high-level meeting at Bayan Palace on Monday to review progress on upcoming national projects focused on power generation and water distillation. The meeting addressed updates on key energy initiatives, including the Shagaya and Abdaliya renewable energy projects; Phases II and III of the Al-Zour North Power Plant; Phase I of both the Khairan and Nuwaiseeb Power Plants; as well as Phase II of the Subiya Power Plant enhancement and Phase IV of its expansion. These projects aim to boost the country's electricity generation capacity from the current 19,000 megawatts to 33,050 megawatts by 2031—an increase of 14,050 megawatts. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of mobilizing all available resources and removing obstacles to ensure these critical development projects are completed within the scheduled timeline. He also highlighted the need to revise existing legislation to enable private companies to participate in electricity generation. Additionally, he expressed appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy and other relevant agencies, urging them to maintain the highest standards of quality in execution. The meeting was attended by Abdulaziz Dakhil Al-Dakhil, Head of the Prime Minister's Office; Dr. Subaih Abdulaziz Al-Mukhaizeem, Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy; along with several senior ministry officials.
