Latest news with #MubarakAl-Kabeer
Arab Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
‘Domestic tourism on rise as more people stay in Kuwait'
KUWAIT CITY, May 28: Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governor Sheikh Sabah Bader Al-Salem on Wednesday inspected the Messilah Beach Project (Plage 2) -- one of the most important projects of the Tourism Enterprises Company (TEC). Members of the company's board of directors and executive management, along with representatives of the United Projects for Aviation Services Company (UPAC), were present during the inspection tour. The tour was aimed at reviewing the progress of the project, the implementation stages and finishing touches. This is part of TEC's efforts to support and develop the tourism sector, to shed light on this vital project, which is considered one of the most important family entertainment destinations developed by the company, covering an area measuring 70,000 square meters. The project was built according to the highest international standards in design and implementation, keeping pace with the latest concepts in family entertainment and providing an exceptional experience for visitors of all ages. It is scheduled to officially open in the coming months, adding to the list of leading entertainment destinations in the country. During the tour, the company reviewed the project's main components, which include swimming pools, water play areas, a multipurpose event hall, spaces designated for restaurants and cafés, commercial and service facilities, and parking for 350 vehicles. Governor Sheikh Sabah Badr Al-Sabah said 'The field visit to the project aims to assess the latest developments in the project, inspect the facilities, amenities and buildings, and view a visual presentation that includes all the project details. Domestic tourism has been witnessing an increasing demand from citizens and expatriates, as more and more people want to spend holidays and vacations in Kuwait.' He pointed out that there are a large number of tourism projects keeping pace with the growing demand for tourism facilities, such as the Winter Land, Key Land and Sabahiya projects. He stated that Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate will witness development in a number of tourism and entertainment projects, citing the recent formation of a governorate council to discuss and study all development proposals for tourism facilities within the governorate, which will support domestic tourism. Abdullah Al-Jaafar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TEC, asserted that 'the governor's visit to the Messilah Project aims to review the facilities and amenities. The project will be ready for opening in the coming period.' He clarified that the project's goal is to develop domestic tourism for the benefit of citizens and expatriates throughout the year -- whether in winter or summer. Eng. Ahmed Sadiq, General Manager of the project, disclosed that developments added to the Messilah Beach Project include cafés and restaurants with distinctive designs on par with international architecture. Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
Arab Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait Deletes 12,500 Fake Addresses in Post-Mangaf Fire Reforms
KUWAIT CITY, May 18: Nearly a year after the devastating Mangaf fire that claimed at least 50 lives, Kuwait has moved decisively to tighten civil registration procedures and clamp down on false residential address reporting. The government's response includes rigorous enforcement by the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI), mandating that the address on an individual's civil ID must now match their actual place of residence. To update their address, expats are required to submit proof of residency— a measure that has resulted in the cancellation of over 12,500 fake or fictitious addresses, particularly in high-density areas such as Hawalli, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, and Mahboula. The Municipality has also stepped up monitoring of bachelor accommodations in residential zones, further contributing to the rise in address change requests. PACI has launched a new service through the 'Sahl' app to facilitate address updates for both Kuwaitis and expatriates. Real Estate Impact and Rental Surge The crackdown has had notable repercussions on the real estate sector. Individuals whose addresses are deleted are given a 30-day grace period to register a valid address or face fines of up to KD 100. This has led to a reshuffling of population distribution and contributed to rising rental prices across governorates. By the end of 2024, average apartment rental values in investment areas rose by 3.1% year-on-year. The increases include: Hawalli: KD 364 (+2.5%) Farwaniya: KD 341 (+3.4%) Ahmadi: KD 304 (+3.4%) Mubarak Al-Kabeer: KD 360 (+2.9%) Jahra: KD 335 (+3.9%) Regulatory and Political Dimensions Businessman Qais Al-Ghanim emphasized that the move is a regulatory correction, aimed at reinforcing laws long ignored. He noted that accurate civil ID address registration is vital for electoral integrity, legal processes, and national security. Al-Ghanim acknowledged that some citizens previously registered under false addresses for tribal or electoral gains, a practice now under strict scrutiny. He further explained that the crackdown aligns with recent actions related to the withdrawal of Kuwaiti citizenship. Individuals stripped of their citizenship (particularly those occupying state-owned housing) must relinquish these properties, as Kuwaiti law prohibits real estate ownership by non-citizens. Toward More Accurate Data Real estate expert Abdulaziz Al-Dughaishim welcomed the stricter enforcement, highlighting the resulting improvements in data accuracy and regulatory efficiency. 'With clearer geographic distribution, the state can make better-informed decisions,' he said, adding that the shift also enhances legal traceability and reduces manipulation in cooperative society and parliamentary elections. Al-Dughaishim also noted a shift in corporate housing practices. Employers who previously registered large numbers of workers at a single property are now distributing tenants across multiple buildings to stay within legal bounds. A Black Market Emerges Despite the progress, some property owners have sought to exploit the system. Observers report a growing black market where landlords charge KD 100–150 to register workers (particularly Asians) under fake residential addresses to fulfill civil ID requirements. Authorities are now working to curb this underground practice, which undermines the ongoing reform efforts. As Kuwait continues to tighten enforcement and streamline its civil registry, officials stress that accurate address data is not only a regulatory concern but a national imperative—rooted in lessons from a tragedy that the nation is determined never to repeat.
Kuwait Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Amir meets acting PM, governors
Amir meets acting PM, governors Amir receives letter from Qatari Amir * Amir receives Bahraini minister KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Seif Palace on Sunday, in the presence of Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, Farwaniya Governor Sheikh Athbi Nasser Al-Athbi Al-Sabah, Capital Governor Sheikh Abdullah Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governor Sheikh Sabah Bader Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Jahra Governor Hamad Jassem Al-Habshi and Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Humoud Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal also received President of Qatar Olympic Committee Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani and Minister of Sport and Youth Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani at Seif Palace. The two officials delivered a letter from Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, addressing the strong ties between the two countries, as well as the latest regional and international developments. In return, HH the Amir conveyed his warmest greetings and best wishes to the Qatari Amir, wishing him good health and well-being, and expressed hopes for further progress and prosperity for the Qatari people. HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal also received at Seif Palace visiting Bahraini Minister of Telecommunication and Transportation Sheikh Dr Abdullah bin Ahmad Al-Khalifa and an accompanying delegation. Present at the reception was Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mashaan. – KUNA
Arab Times
02-04-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait registers over 7,000 travel ban transactions
KUWAIT CITY, April 2: The Execution General Department at the Ministry of Justice completed 1,020,906 transactions in January; including travel bans, vehicle seizures and seizure of debtors' assets held by third parties. Through these transactions, the department received fees totaling KD784,464. The newspaper obtained statistics, revealing that the request for an executive seizure of debtors' assets held by third parties recorded the highest number of transactions with 571,251 or 56 percent of the total; while the opening of a modification file is the lowest at 0.01 percent. According to the concerned authorities, the Capital branch carried out the highest number of transactions at 30.7 percent, followed by Ahmadi at 20.5 percent, Farwaniya at 16.6 percent, Hawally at 13.5 percent, Mubarak Al-Kabeer at 9.6 percent, Jahra at 8.9 percent while the Ports-Sulaibiya-Lawyers Association branches accounted for 0.2 percent. The total number of transactions in the Travel Ban Section was 7,193; the largest proportion of which was for lifting the travel ban with 2,709 or 37.7 percent of the total. Fee collection forms and fee collection receipts accounted for the least number at 0.03 percent each. Travel ban transactions in the Capital branch accounted for the largest number at 49.4 percent, followed by the Ports-Sulaibiya-Lawyers Association branches at 30.1 percent, Farwaniya at 6.0 percent, Ahmadi at 5.0 percent, Hawally at 4.5 percent, Jahra at 3.5 percent, and Mubarak Al- Kabeer at 1.5 percent. The Rental Department had a total of 13,807 transactions. Fee collection receipts ranked first with 5,452 or 39.5 percent, while receipts for a warning or judgment were last at 0.01 percent. The Capital branch recorded the largest number of such transactions at 54.6 percent, followed by Farwaniya at 14.2 percent, Hawally at 14.1 percent, Ahmadi at 11.1 percent, Jahra at 3.6 percent and Mubarak Al-Kabeer at 2.4 percent. On the other hand, lawyers believe that measures stipulated in the draft decree-law amending certain provisions of the Civil and Commercial Procedures Law could be used to restore the rights of the concerned individuals. They welcomed this step, considering it 'an absolute necessity to deal with the rise of fraud cases and the loss of rights.' Attorney Enaam Haider said the arrest and summons orders have been reinstated under a law amending certain provisions of the Civil and Commercial Procedures Law. The law's provisions apply to solvent debtors who refuse to pay their debts, according to specific criteria, most notably that a debtor is not considered solvent if their solvency is based on assets that cannot be seized. She explained the law stipulates that arrest and summons orders do not apply to patients who cannot tolerate imprisonment, pregnant women, and those with diminished legal capacity. She added the law allows payment of debts in installments based on the debtor's financial ability, with the installment order being canceled in the event of default. She said the law sets a maximum term for imprisonment, separates the implementation of prison sentences for those imprisoned for criminal offenses, and allows debtors to make payments while in prison and to organize their financial situation and settle it. Attorney Jarrah Mubarak Al-Wawan disclosed that one of the most important features of the draft decree-law amending certain provisions of the Civil and Commercial Procedures Law is reforming the procedures for reporting the debts of the debtor by addressing the shortcomings of banking institutions to seize the funds or credit balances added to the debtor's bank account, in addition to expediting the seizure and enforcement procedures to ensure that the debtor is unable to smuggle his funds. He stated that the law allows combating the misuse of temporary enforcement disputes by stipulating that the effect of the suspension of enforcement be removed immediately upon the dismissal of the dispute. 'This ensures that the implementation of judicial rulings is not disrupted while combating the misuse of the suspension effect of the temporary dispute and the disruption of enforcement procedures. It can be done by raising the minimum and maximum amount of the fine for the dispute to not less than KD50 and not more than KD300' he elaborated. He asserted that the reinstatement of arrest warrants after amending the law has several justifications; the most important of which is protecting the national economy from the obstruction of debt collection methods and reducing the rate of bad debts. He affirmed this would improve the investment climate in the country, enhance confidence in the rule of law and judicial institutions, combat debt evasion, and strike a balance between the right of the creditor to collect payment and the right of the debtor to fulfill his obligations without resorting to a fraudulent misrepresentation of his financial position. He concluded that the implementation of the law is a step toward modernizing Kuwaiti laws in line with the best international practices and ensuring a fair legal environment that achieves a balance between parties to the relationship while taking into account the human and social dimensions. Attorney Abdul Mohsen Al-Qattan added that the abolition of arrest warrants in the previous period led to a major problem -- debtors and financial defendants evading payment, as this made it difficult to enforce court rulings; indicating that court rulings for financial claims have no value. He said the previous decision was wrong, lacked due diligence, and caused enormous losses for companies and property owners. He revealed a large number of citizens and expatriates, including divorcees were harmed by such cancellation. 'During this period, most debtors and those financially liable did not pay until the issuance of decisions,' he added. It is worth noting that arrest, detention and imprisonment are considered a means of pressure to pay debts. Travel ban alone is insufficient and it is considered a weak tool. Many financially wanted individuals have no problem with the issuance of a travel ban and ruling. The abolition of arrest and detention previously encouraged tax evasion, as there is no legal or criminal prosecution for those who evade payment. This resulted in bad debts for many companies due to the deliberate non-payment of debts by those wanted by law.
Arab Times
29-01-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Salwa Al-Sabah Club wins Super Cup ahead of international women's volleyball championship
KUWAIT CITY, Jan 29: The second edition of the friendly international championship for women's volleyball, hosted by Salwa Al-Sabah Club, kicks off today under the patronage of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governor Sheikh Sabah Badr Al-Sabah. The tournament features eight teams from Arab and international clubs, divided into two groups. Group A includes Salwa Al-Sabah Club, Geneva Club from Switzerland, Akkad Ankaw from Iraq, and Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy from the UAE. Group B consists of the Tunisian national team, the Qatari national team, the Al-Shabiba Al-Bouchrieh Club from Lebanon, and the Al-Ula Club from Saudi Arabia. The competition will run until February 5th. The opening match will take place today at 6:00 pm between Salwa Al-Sabah Club and Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy, at the club's hall in Al-Qurain. Sheikha Naima Al-Ahmad, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Salwa Al-Sabah Club, expressed her warm welcome to the participating Arab and foreign delegations, considering Kuwait their second home. She highlighted the success of the tournament's first edition in terms of technical organization, audience support, and the participation of Gulf and Arab teams. The current edition, featuring the inclusion of the Geneva Club from Switzerland, marks the tournament's growing international appeal. Sheikha Naima added, 'The Board of Directors of Salwa Al-Sabah Club has devoted significant attention to this tournament, with committees working diligently in preparation to ensure a successful event and a memorable experience for women's volleyball.' She also extended her sincere appreciation to the Public Authority for Sports and the Kuwait Volleyball Federation for their invaluable cooperation in organizing the event, which aligns with Kuwait's ongoing commitment to supporting sports under the guidance of His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince, and His Highness the Prime Minister. In a related development, Salwa Al-Sabah Club's volleyball team recently claimed the Super Cup title for the current season, defeating Al-Fatat Club 3-0. The match was held at the Volleyball Association Hall at Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Complex, where Dr. Jaber Al-Marri, President of the Volleyball Association, presented the Super Cup trophy to the Salwa Al-Sabah volleyball team.
