Latest news with #Electricity
Arab Times
12 hours ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait reviews progress on strategic development agreements with China
KUWAIT CITY, July 31: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah chaired the 21st meeting of the ministerial committee responsible for following up on bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Kuwait and the People's Republic of China. The session was held at Bayan Palace on Thursday. The meeting reviewed the progress of key development initiatives outlined in the Kuwait-China cooperation framework, including the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project, expansion of the electric power system, renewable energy development, construction of eco-friendly recycling systems, housing initiatives, and environmental infrastructure for wastewater treatment plants. Discussions also covered free and economic zones, as well as strategies to combat desertification and promote sustainable agriculture. Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs and committee rapporteur Ambassador Sameeh Johar Hayat delivered a comprehensive briefing on the implementation of MoUs. He highlighted the ongoing high-level communications with Chinese counterparts, underscoring Kuwait's commitment to deepening strategic and economic ties with China. Ambassador Hayat also revealed that four Chinese delegations representing major state-owned enterprises are scheduled to visit Kuwait next month to explore cooperation and investment opportunities in infrastructure, logistics, and other development sectors. His Highness the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of initiative and achievement in all areas of national development. He noted that positive economic indicators and rising foreign investments signal Kuwait's steady advancement, in line with the national development plan and the vision of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. 'The close and continuous coordination between Kuwait and China reflects a deep-rooted strategic partnership, particularly in accelerating the implementation of major projects that are key to Kuwait's future economic landscape,' said Sheikh Ahmad. The meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Affairs Abdullatif Hamed Al-Mishari, Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr. Subaih Abdulaziz Al-Mukhaizeem, Director General of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority Sheikh Dr. Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Acting Head of the Prime Minister's Diwan Sheikh Khaled Mohammed Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, and Head of the Fatwa and Legislation Department Counselor Salah Ateeq Al-Majed. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar met with the Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait, Liu Shang, to explore ways to deepen cooperation in the communications and technology sectors. In a statement, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) said the meeting reviewed a proposed memorandum of understanding and highlighted the importance of aligning initiatives with Kuwait's strategic vision to strengthen the technical partnership. Liu expressed appreciation for Kuwait's leadership of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), commending its regional and global role in fostering digital innovation. He invited Minister Al-Omar to participate in the upcoming Partnership for the Industrial Revolution (PartNIR) Forum, scheduled for September, as part of efforts to expand sustainable digital collaboration.
Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Expo 965 exhibition highlights atrocities of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on its 35th anniversary
KUWAIT: Minister Subaih Al-Mukhizeem tours the Expo 965 exhibition acompanied by officials. — KUNA photos KUWAIT: The Expo 965 team for Kuwaiti heritage, crafts, and creatives held its fifth annual exhibition marking the anniversary of the Iraqi invasion and honoring Kuwait's martyrs under the patronage and attendance of Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr Sabeeh Al-Mukhaizeem. The event commemorates the 35th anniversary of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Mohammad Kamal, the team's founder and lead researcher, told reporters during the event at the Ministry of Electricity building that the exhibition shines a light on a significant and painful chapter of Kuwait's history, aiming to educate younger generations who did not live through the tragic period. The Expo 965 team showcase rare possessions and photographs that show the crimes and destruction inflicted on Kuwait by the Iraqi forces. Expo 965's Mohammad Kamal. 'The exhibition includes rare possessions and photographs that show the crimes, atrocities, and destruction inflicted on the Kuwaiti people,' Kamal said. 'This includes images of burning oil wells, leaflets distributed to Kuwaiti resistance fighters, and documents revealing the occupiers' attempts to erase Kuwait's identity.' He added that the exhibition also displays photos of Kuwaiti prisoners and martyrs, revealing signs of torture they endured. Additionally, there are paintings of cars and a map illustrating changes made to some Kuwaiti area names during the invasion that began on August 2, 1990. Kamal emphasized the team's commitment to holding the exhibition annually to ensure the painful memory is not forgotten and to highlight Kuwait's determination to reclaim its land and sovereignty. — KUNA
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Tasmac increases salaries of workers, penalises those fleecing customers
The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (Tasmac) has increased the salaries of its shop personnel while also implementing penalties for those who overcharge customers. The board of Tasmac in its 218th meeting held in April had authorised the Managing Director to implement the enhancement of ₹2,000 in the consolidated pay of all shop personnel with effect from April 1, 2025, based on the announcement made by Minister for Electricity, Prohibition & Excise at the Legislative Assembly on April 22. It was decided that an increase of ₹1000 may be given to all supervisors, salesmen, and assistant salesmen on consolidated remuneration, and a further increase of ₹1000 may be given, linking it to performance. Based on this, the performance of shop personnel across all districts was analysed for the financial year 2024-25. A detailed report was prepared based on the inputs received from the senior regional managers, which revealed that 4,467 shop personnel were involved in Maximum Retail Price (MRP) violations. Of this, 4,016 shop personnel were found involved in MRP violations below ₹10, and 451 personnel were involved in MRP violations of above ₹10. The 451 shop personnel include 197 shop supervisors, 234 salesmen and 20 assistant salesmen The board of directors of Tasmac have said: 'The enhanced amount of ₹2000 may be given to all supervisors, salesmen, assistant salesmen, except for those involved in charging ₹10 and more over MRP (451 shop personnel). For those 451 shop personnel who were involved in charging ₹10 and more over MRP, only ₹1,000 may be released as an enhanced amount instead of ₹2000 with effect from 01.04.2025.' A circular sent by S. Visakan, Managing Director of Tasmac to all senior regional managers and district managers mentioned: 'The difference in pay for the month of April 2025, May 2025 and June 2025, may be claimed and be paid immediately within two days in the month of July 2025 itself on receipt of this letter. A Tasmac source said that currently a supervisor's net salary is around ₹12,758, while salesman earn ₹10,716 and assistant salesman makes ₹9,669. With this increase, a supervisor will now get ₹14,518, salesman will earn ₹12,476 and assistant salesman will make around ₹11,429.' As on March 31, 2025, Tamil Nadu had 4,787 retail vending shops of Tasmac. These shops have 6,567 supervisors, 14,636 salesmen and 2,426 assistant salesmen who are working on a contract/consolidated basis.
Saba Yemen
28-06-2025
- General
- Saba Yemen
New School Year Launched in Dhamar Governorate
Dhamar (Saba) – Minister of Electricity, Energy, and Water, Dr. Ali Saif, and Dhamar Governor, Mohammed Al-Bukhaiti, today inaugurated the first semester of the new academic year 1447 AH (1447 AH) in all primary and secondary schools in the governorate. Along with Shura Council member Abdo Al-Alawi, Deputy Minister of Electricity and Water Adel Bader, Deputy Governors Mahmoud Al-Jubain and Mohammed Abdul-Razzaq, and the Governorate's Mobilization Officer, Ahmed Al-Dhorani, they reviewed the progress of education at Uqba bin Nafi' School, Al-Thalaya School for Science and Technology, Al-Thalaya School for Basic Education, Asma' School for Girls, and Abdulaziz Abdul-Ghani School in Dhamar City. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (Local)
Zawya
26-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Committee on Electricity Calls for Watertight Procurement Policies to Strengthen Accountability
The Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy received a briefing yesterday from the Department of Electricity and Energy on the Battery Energy Storage System Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme from the Minister of the department, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. The Minister told the committee that the engagement with the committee was to ensure accountability and transparency especially in the light of the recent allegations concerning conflicts of interest and procurement irregularities that have been levelled by the Umkhonto weSizwe (MKP) Party regarding the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. The Minister stated that the department had nothing to hide hence it agreed to appear before the committee and brief it as per the request of the MKP that brought the allegations. The Minister said: 'We welcome the scrutiny from both the members of the committee and the public regarding the procurement process for the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).' He stressed the department's commitment to ensuring that the procurement processes are upheld with the utmost integrity and fairness. "Our commitment to transparency is paramount. We must ensure that public resources are managed responsibly and that all stakeholders are held accountable," said Dr Ramokgopa. The Minister and the senior departmental officials and the Independent Power Producer (IPP) officials provided a comprehensive overview of the BESS procurement process. The presentation outlined the objectives of the program, which includes enhancing energy security, promoting Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), and ensuring transparency in the procurement of private sector generation capacity. A key point of discussion amongst some committee members was the involvement of the former Chief Operating Officer of Eskom, who has been awarded a tender under the current IPP procurement process. Some committee members expressed concerns regarding the appropriateness of awarding contracts to an individual with such a recent history in a senior position at Eskom, questioning whether this could potentially lead to perceptions of favouritism or conflict of interest. Members of the committee highlighted the importance of maintaining public trust in the procurement process and said that stringent measures should be implemented to prevent any appearance of impropriety. The committee stressed that it is vital for the integrity of the procurement process to be upheld and for public confidence in the decisions made by the Department of Electricity and Energy to be restored. Members of the committee sought clarification on the governance mechanisms in place to verify declarations made by bidders, emphasising the need for due diligence beyond mere declarations to ensure compliance with BEE commitments. The committee questioned whether the procurement process had adequately considered the implications of awarding contracts to individuals with recent ties to Eskom. In response to these concerns, Dr Ramokgopa reiterated the government's commitment to fostering a diverse and competitive energy market. He said: "We acknowledge that while we have made progress, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the benefits of these projects are shared equitably among all South Africans, particularly those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds." Regarding the BESS procurement process the committee expressed concerns about the slow pace of the current IPP processes, questioning their effectiveness in contributing to industrialisation and economic growth in South Africa. In addition, members of the committee highlighted the perceived failure of the IPP process to create genuine long-term and sustainable transformation, particularly regarding the BEE within communities. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
