Latest news with #KuwaitCity
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Kuwait ministry boosts transparency and oversight in cooperative sector
KUWAIT CITY - Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwaila emphasized the ministry's commitment to improving work in the cooperative sector and enhancing transparency by supporting monitors and inspectors, calling them the 'trustworthy eyes of the state' in cooperative societies. Speaking at an open meeting with the Ministry's Control and Inspection Department, Dr. Al-Huwailah said the meeting aimed to strengthen the institutional work environment and address field challenges. She highlighted the cooperative sector as a unique and praised model in Kuwait and the Gulf, with significant social and economic benefits, stressing that contributing citizens are key partners in this national development. She stressed teamwork and professionalism, noting that many financial and administrative issues in some societies arise from weak oversight or supervisory lapses. Responsibility begins with individual commitment to duties. She praised the Control and Inspection Department's success in detecting violations and fighting corruption alongside the Ministry of Interior, reflecting the competence of national cadres in safeguarding public funds and promoting integrity. The Minister encouraged employees to be transparent and share field observations, acknowledging the pressures inspectors face. She reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to developing control and technical systems to provide services aligned with international standards, boosting citizen satisfaction and trust in Kuwait's cooperative sector. Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Cooperative Sector Ahmed Al-Furaij said the meeting was part of the Minister's efforts to communicate directly with inspectors to support and motivate them. The meeting produced recommendations emphasizing adherence to the new Nazaha Law, especially regarding financial disclosures and conflict of interest declarations. Al-Furaij noted the Minister values auditors' field experience and prioritizes their recommendations when drafting ministerial regulations. Key topics included auditors' observations on administrative and financial expenses, supplier payments, and social services in cooperative societies. Proposals will be submitted for regulatory amendments to enhance transparency. He outlined a comprehensive development plan that includes ongoing legal, administrative, and financial training for auditors and the introduction of advanced technologies such as electronic reports, digital correspondence, and an electronic check system. The ministry is launching a pilot phase of an integrated digital oversight project, selecting prototype associations to monitor financial and administrative activities. Al-Furaij stressed this pilot represents a major step to tighten control and improve cooperative performance, with evaluation before wider application. On report accuracy, he said auditing takes time to ensure data reliability and professionalism, with careful review guaranteeing objective and trustworthy reports. Arab Times | © Copyright 2024, All Rights Reserved Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Kuwait taps Google for smart finance overhaul
KUWAIT CITY - Kuwait's Finance Minister Noura Al-Fassam held talks on Wednesday with Google Cloud's Vice President of Customer Engineering for the Middle East, Africa and Europe Chris Lindsay, focusing on efforts to push forward a national digital drive. The digital transformation, including a transition into a cloud-based financial system that guarantees more 'flexibility and transparency,' represents the focal point of economic reforms in Kuwait, according to a finance ministry statement. Kuwait's finance ministry will be among the first state bodies to make the transition into a digital system, which is a testament to its 'commitment' to employ cutting-edge technology, such as Artificial Intelligence tools, in a bid to improve the quality of its services, the statement underlined. The talks come as part of the 'strategic partnership' agreement between Kuwait and the US tech giant, which aims to develop advanced digital infrastructure across all state bodies, added the statement. It went on to espouse the merits of a full-fledged digital transformation, citing streamlined processes, data-driven decision-making and greater efficiency as chief among those benefits. Arab Times | © Copyright 2024, All Rights Reserved Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Kuwait eyes public-private partnership energy projects to help end power crisis
KUWAIT CITY - Kuwait is hoping that new energy projects involving state and private investors will help the country tackle its power crisis, with one of the contracts due to be awarded within weeks, the acting director general of the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP) said. Kuwait, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has been grappling with a severe electricity shortage driven by rapid population growth, urban expansion, rising temperatures, and delays in maintenance at some power plants. Since last year, the government has resorted to planned power cuts in some areas to reduce the load. Under KAPP's Public Partnership Projects (PPP) framework, companies are set up to carry out projects managed by a strategic partner. The partner, who can be Kuwaiti, foreign or a consortium of investors, is allocated 26% to 44% of the company's shares. The remaining 50% stake is offered to Kuwaiti citizens and the remainder retained by the government. The goods and services produced are sold back to the government. The authority is looking at several projects that will "ease the financial burden on the state budget, as their costs will be borne by the private sector," KAPP's acting director general Asmaa Al-Mousa told Reuters. Among the top-priority projects are the Khairan power project, the Dabdaba and Shagaya renewable energy project, as well as phases two and three of the Al-Zour North power plant, which are expected to be awarded "within weeks', after which implementation will begin, she said. Once completed, the Al-Zour North project will produce 2.7 gigawatts (GW) of power and 120 million gallons of water daily using combined-cycle technology, with construction set to take three years. Al-Mousa said she hopes to launch the tenders for phases one and two of the Dabdaba and Shagaya renewable energy project before the end of 2025. Phase one, with a production capacity of 1.1 GW, has already completed the qualification process and companies have been invited to submit qualification requests for phase two, which aims to produce 500 megawatts of electricity. The four phases of the Dabdaba-Shagaya project are expected to produce a total of 4.5 GW by 2030.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Kuwait eyes public-private partnership energy projects to help end power crisis
KUWAIT CITY, May 29 (Reuters) - Kuwait is hoping that new energy projects involving state and private investors will help the country tackle its power crisis, with one of the contracts due to be awarded within weeks, the acting director general of the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP) said. Kuwait, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has been grappling with a severe electricity shortage driven by rapid population growth, urban expansion, rising temperatures, and delays in maintenance at some power plants. Since last year, the government has resorted to planned power cuts in some areas to reduce the load. Under KAPP's Public Partnership Projects (PPP) framework, companies are set up to carry out projects managed by a strategic partner. The partner, who can be Kuwaiti, foreign or a consortium of investors, is allocated 26% to 44% of the company's shares. The remaining 50% stake is offered to Kuwaiti citizens and the remainder retained by the government. The goods and services produced are sold back to the government. The authority is looking at several projects that will "ease the financial burden on the state budget, as their costs will be borne by the private sector," KAPP's acting director general Asmaa Al-Mousa told Reuters. Among the top-priority projects are the Khairan power project, the Dabdaba and Shagaya renewable energy project, as well as phases two and three of the Al-Zour North power plant, which are expected to be awarded "within weeks', after which implementation will begin, she said. Once completed, the Al-Zour North project will produce 2.7 gigawatts (GW) of power and 120 million gallons of water daily using combined-cycle technology, with construction set to take three years. Al-Mousa said she hopes to launch the tenders for phases one and two of the Dabdaba and Shagaya renewable energy project before the end of 2025. Phase one, with a production capacity of 1.1 GW, has already completed the qualification process and companies have been invited to submit qualification requests for phase two, which aims to produce 500 megawatts of electricity. The four phases of the Dabdaba-Shagaya project are expected to produce a total of 4.5 GW by 2030.
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
AI hearing aid mimics human brain with 80 million real-time sound adjustments per hour
This Better Hearing Month, Starkey MEA is shining a spotlight on its most intelligent hearing solution to date — Edge AI — as part of an ongoing drive to promote hearing health awareness across the Middle East. Designed to replicate how the human brain processes sound, Edge AI performs up to 80 million personalised hearing adjustments per hour, helping users stay connected, confident, and comfortable in any environment. At the core of Edge AI is Starkey's groundbreaking G2 Neuro Processor, which boasts six times more transistors, ten times more memory, and four times faster processing than its predecessor. This advanced chip enables the device to automatically adapt to complex listening environments — whether it's a family majlis in the UAE, a bustling street in Jeddah, or a shopping mall in Kuwait City — ensuring seamless auditory clarity in real time. 'Edge AI isn't just a hearing aid — it's a technological breakthrough designed for real life,' said Giscard Bechara, Regional Director, MEA, Starkey Laboratories Inc. 'It's already changing lives across the GCC and wider region. And with May being Better Hearing Month, we want to remind the public that better hearing starts with a simple, preventive check-up. Early diagnosis makes all the difference.' Edge AI is equipped with features that enhance the user experience across connectivity, wellness, and convenience. These include Bluetooth LE Audio for seamless, energy-efficient streaming, Auracast™ broadcast capability, and a 60% smaller StarLink Edge TV Streamer for direct television audio. Select waterproof models offer up to 51 hours of battery life, while Neuro Sound Technology 2.0 delivers 30% more accurate speech detection in noisy environments. 'Edge AI has redefined what hearing support means for someone like me who is constantly in professional and social settings. Its real-time adaptability across complex environments — from lecture halls to roundtable discussions — has restored not just my ability to hear, but also my confidence to engage fully. For the first time in years, I feel truly connected to the conversations around me. For professionals like me, who rely heavily on communication, this technology is more than a device — it's a lifeline,' said Dr. Mohamed Ali Eltom, Chairman of the International Diabetes Federation for the MENA region and a hearing loss patient. In addition, the device supports a holistic approach to hearing health with tools such as sensor-driven balance assessments, fall detection alerts, and smartwatch integration via the My Starkey mobile app — allowing users to manage hearing settings and track wellness on the go. With hearing loss affecting a growing number of people across the Middle East — including younger individuals exposed to prolonged noise and an ageing population — Starkey MEA is working closely with audiologists and clinics to raise awareness, encourage early screenings, and provide hands-on access to its cutting-edge technology throughout Better Hearing Month. 'Better hearing leads to better living,' added Bechara. 'This month is not only about showcasing our most powerful solution, Edge AI — it's about empowering people to take the first step toward hearing health.'
