MEW to build 9 new water towers in Sabah Al-Ahmad

Kuwait: The Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) has finalized contracts for the construction of nine new water storage towers in the Sabah Al-Ahmad housing estate. The reinforced concrete towers, costing a total of KD8.5 million, should be completed and ready for use within the next year, said an MEW official, adding that they will provide water for Sabah Al-Ahmad residents and any others in the area requiring it. Meanwhile, the MEW is awaiting the delivery of a number of massive new soundproofed diesel generators.

The generators, costing a total of KD15 million, are expected to arrive before Ramadan when the demand for power peaks and will be allocated to those areas prone to power cuts just in case of any blackouts. On a separate issue, MP Mohammad Al-Huwaila has supported parliamentary colleagues' calls for an emergency meeting of the National Assembly council to discuss the problems faced by high school graduates unable to get places at Kuwait University despite meeting the entrance criteria due to the university's overcapacity problems.

Smart' power system achieved using the latest technology

KUWAIT: Minister of Electricity and Water Salem Al-Othayna said on Monday that the improvements in Kuwait's power network are being carried out using the latest equipment and sophisticated power conservation techniques. Al-Othayna, who is also the Acting Minister of Information, said that, as well as conserving power, the 'smart' system used by the MEW ensures that the power supply is directed towards those areas where it is most needed.

In a statement released after he inaugurated Salwa's second main power plant, which uses the 'smart' system, the minister said that the new system "contributes to reducing consumption levels by 15 to 20 percent through conserving the previously wasted power." Kuwait has taken the regional lead in introducing the 'smart' system, which was first suggested by an MEW expert committee in 2008, said Al-Othayna, lauding the efforts of the five Kuwaiti engineers, all female, who first launched the project and of the additional eight who also played a part in ensuring the successful introduction of the cutting edge system.

Al-Adwa slams MAIA over imam suspension

Kuwait: MP Khalid Al-Adwa has become the latest parliamentarian to condemn the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs' (MAIA) decision to suspend an imam over a sermon condemning the Syrian regime over its actions. Al-Adwa said yesterday that the MAIA should call a halt to its repressive role in inhibiting imams' freedom of speech in their sermons, accusing the ministry of wishing to make sermons monotonous and irrelevant to actual national concerns.

MAIA officials should instead be looking to mosque imams as important figures with a responsibility for shaping society and directing its members in the correct way, socially, politically and economically, as well as morally, particularly in their Friday sermons, he said. Imams are not civil servants, the MP pointed out, adding that the ministry must show empathy for the Kuwaiti people's cares and concerns and face up to challenges.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

51 repatriated Pinoy maids seek safety back home

KUWAIT: Rowena's journey to what she believed would be greener pastures resulted in abuse, starvation and false accusations of adultery. After arriving in Kuwait to work as a maid, 32-year-old Rowena Alinsasaguin ate only bread (kubos in Arabic) for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Her most luxurious meal was chicken with rice, which she was given once a week. On every other day it was only kubos, without anything on it. I did not come to Kuwait to die. I came here to live and help my family," she sobbed, recalling her wretched experience. After four months of suffering, she finally called her agency to request a transfer and her request was eventually granted. After the next few months, however, the female employer became suspicious that Rowena was having an affair with her husband. In 'revenge' for this imagined romance, Rowena would receive reprimands and beating almost every day.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

College of Education students asked to re-take course

Kuwait: In a recent incident, that adds to the poor reputation of Kuwait's education system, 400 students from the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training's (PAAET) College of Education were informed yesterday that one of the courses they have been studying throughout this summer semester was cancelled. Students have been studying the course since June, but were only informed yesterday, a week before the final exam, that it was cancelled due to a fault in the registration department. The officials were unable to answer our questions at first. We were confused as to what will happen for all the work we have performed throughout the summer semester. Are we going to re-do the entire course again. What were the reasons." wondered Sarah, one of the students. She added, "We were given a notice that we are no longer registered with that course. We were shocked, so we tried to get in touch with our instructor who told us that that this was the management's decision.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait football team to take on Filipino rivals

Kuwait: After a rigorous training session held in Lebanon and Jordan recently, the Kuwait Football Team [Al-Azraq] returned home last Friday. The team is in the heat of intensive preparations held here for the much-awaited '2014 qualifier match' scheduled against the Philippines' Azkals team. The match will be held on Saturday at the Qadsiya Sports Club in Hawally. Sheikh Talal Fahad Al-Sabah, Chairman Kuwait Football Association (KFA) visited the training ground on Monday evening, wished the team well and expressed his support..He dropped by to give our team a morale boost. He just wished our team well and success for the Saturday game. His presence was greatly valued by our team. Being able to see him here on the ground was quite remarkable," said Talal Al-Mehteb, Media Relations Officer. Al-Mehteb spoke to the press Sheikh Talal addressed the team at KFA's headquarters in Adaliya.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Belgian official sees ample scope to promote medical in kuwa

Kuwaiti minister of health Dr. Hilal Musaed Al-Sayer met here Monday Kris Peeters, Minister-President of the Flemish region of Belgium, and discussed ways to boost collaboration in the medical and health is sector between Belgium and Kuwait."It was very positive meeting and we discussed a lot of possibilities to work together. Healthcare in the Flanders region is a very important sector and has the ambition to be in the top five of the European countries and regions by 2020," Peeters told the Kuwait news agency after the meeting."We have discussed and given more information about this initiative and we hope that we can work in the future with Kuwait and see what we can do together," his said. He stressed that there are a lot of possibilities and opportunities to work together with Kuwait.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Still no MoE bill payment facility at Kuwait Airport

Kuwait: Every holidaymaker is now keen to pay their bills prior to setting out for the airport, with campaigns, warnings and SMSes targeting those residents who have incurred large utilities bills. Travelers who opt to settle their bills at the airport at the last minute have discovered, however, that the payment facility that was to open there is still "in the pipeline. Some months ago the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) announced that it would be installing facilities allowing passengers to pay outstanding bills for water and electricity at the airport, with any unsettled bills potentially creating problems for expatriate travelers leaving the country on holiday.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Lawmakers plan to grill premier over Internet

Kuwait: The consumer is being burdened by skyrocketing prices and poor quality of services, thanks to unlicensed companies that operate under the supervision of the Ministry of Communication, says lawyer Husain Al-Abdullah. Speaking at a seminar held at the Kuwait Lawyers Association on Sunday, Al-Abdullah explained that the licenses of local internet service providers expired more than four years ago.Al-Abdullah who has been working toward filing lawsuits against internet providers on behalf of a pressure group formed by consumers on the internet, says providers have been operating illegally, citing the latest report published by the Kuwait Audit Bureau.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Internet providers told to cut rates, download limits

Kuwait: Kuwaiti Internet-providers are set to lower their charges for the service by 15-25 percent, Ministry of Communications Undersecretary Abdulmohsin Al-Mazidi said on Friday. After a meeting between the ministry and Internet-providers in the country, Al-Mazidi said that agreement had been reached between the parties, whereby a recently company-proposed policy called ‘fare usage’, will not see the light.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

KD 500 wage minimum salary rule to split families in Kuwait

Kuwait: In an attempt to restructure the demographics of the country, the Ministry of Interior is reportedly drafting a law to increase the minimum wage required for non-Kuwaiti residents to sponsor their spouses and family by 100 percent. An official at the Ministry of Interior said that the law will take several months to be finalized; noting that it cannot be applied during the current situation. The Ministry of Interior will work closely with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MSAL) in order to finalize this law.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait to conserve water through pre-paid supply

Kuwait: The Ministry of Electricity and Water's pre-paid water supply project aims to conserve this valuable resource, and to ensure the accumulation of state funds. As the ministry embarks on the project, acting Minister of Electricity and Water, Salem Al-Othaina, who inaugurated phase one at Jabriya Water Plant, described it as one of the ministry's "crucial projects," now.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait keen on good neighborliness with Iraq - Sheikh

Kuwait is keen on having good-neighborly relations with Iraq and coordinating stances on issues of common concern, Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah underscored Thursday. Upon his departure to Turkey to participate in the fourth meeting of the International Contact Group on Libya, scheduled Friday, Sheikh Dr. Mohammad told reporters that Kuwait does not pay due attention to the hostile remarks made by unofficial and irresponsible Iraqi figures."But to our surprise, an Iraqi official had recently made similar hostile remarks against Kuwait," he noted. A number of Iraqi MPs have recently attacked Kuwait over a number of marine projects on the Kuwaiti side of the Arabian Gulf.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Embassy-Triple blasts in Mumbai painful event

There was no harm to Kuwaiti nationals or business interests in India’s financial capital Mumbai in Wednesday’s triple bomb blasts which claimed as many as 17 lives and injured around 130 people, confirmed the Consul General for the State of Kuwait in Mumbai, Salem Al-Khaledi on Thursday. In a written statement he said: “There is no Kuwaiti citizen — resident or tourist — who has come to any harm from this painful event.” He further emphasized that there was no harm to any Kuwaiti interests, including the Consulate for the State of Kuwait, the Kuwaiti Airways Office or the Kuwaiti Petroleum Office for marketing oil in India.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait University's dilemma: An explanation

Kuwait: Newly appointed Minister of Education Ahmad Al-Mulaifi told the press on Tuesday that a temporary campus must be allocated to contain the 8,000 freshmen set to enroll this upcoming September. Al-Mulaifi met with the Kuwait University council earlier this month and gave them a stark ultimatum: increase the number of freshmen enrolling this academic year to 8,000 or submit their [council members'] resignations. A senior Kuwait University official announced yesterday that the minister's demand to increase the number of students has been met.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwaiti media delegation visits Hebron, Bethlehem

A Kuwaiti media delegation on Tuesday visited the city of Hebron in the West Bank, learning more about the suffering of its people from the practices of the Israeli settlers in the old town. Members of the Kuwaiti delegation met the Governor of Hebron Kamil Hamid, who accompanied them on a tour of the ancient town and explained the details of the humanitarian, political and economic situation in the city, the largest and most populous in the West Bank.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Amir issues directives to mark constitution's anniversary

Kuwait: The Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ali Fahad Al-Rashid announced yesterday that the cabinet had been notified of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah's wish to mark the passing of 50 years since the drafting of the Kuwaiti Constitution at a special ceremony. The cabinet has accordingly charged Al-Rashid to cooperate with all relevant bodies to prepare for a fitting celebration to mark this momentous national occasion, he explained.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwaiti students enjoy PM's full support - Min. Al-Mulaifi

Kuwait: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah is fully supporting Kuwaiti students in or outside Kuwait, a senior government official said on Monday. The Minister of Education and Higher Education Ahmad Al-Mulaifi, representing Sheikh Nasser, was speaking at the opening about the "Ambitious Future" forum, organized by the National Union of Kuwait Students' (NUKS) Executive Authority. The forum, sponsored by the Prime Minister, features participation of some 40 Arab, European and American universities that introduce their programs for Kuwaitis wishing to study abroad.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Govt. will not ignore unauthorized price rises

Kuwait: Commerce and Industry Minister Amani Buresli has vowed that the ministry will not turn a blind eye to any unwarranted and unauthorized increases in the prices of basic commodities. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is keen to develop its inspection teams' performance and the strategies used, and is currently discussing possible methods for tightening its scrutiny of the market to protect consumers, she asserted.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Meat prices continue to rise in Kuwait

Kuwait: Despite statements by officials from the authorities concerned with controlling food prices, meat prices in Kuwait continue to be higher than usual as Ramadan approaches. The price of one Arabian sheep has already reached an astronomical KD 120, compared to the KD75 the same type of sheep cost only a few months ago. The reasons behind the increase are the increasing price of cattle fodder, inflation in the Arab region, and the high demand for Arabian sheep on the market, especially in the run-up to and during the month of Ramadan.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait no longer interested in pursuing nuclear energy

Kuwait: Kuwait is no longer eager to possess nuclear technology or to seek nuclear power for energy purposes, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr. Mohammad Al-Sabah. The minister's statement, made in response to questions on the subject from MP Ali Al-Omair, came in the wake of a decision made during the Cabinet's latest weekly meeting, to assign the duties previously undertaken by the Kuwait National Nuclear Energy Committee (KNNEC) to the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) in a bid by the government to adopt a more cautious approach to utilizing nuclear power for research and medical purposes.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Divorce rates continue to increase in Kuwait

Kuwait: According to statistics published recently by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), the number of divorce lawsuits filed in Kuwait far outnumbers other legal cases, with Kuwait's courts handling 27,500 divorces in 2010 alone. The data, compiled from the ministry's caseload for 2010, also indicated a 10% increase on the previous year in the number of all lawsuits filed in Kuwait's courts. Legal experts have expressed shock at the increase, warning that the issue requires immediate attention. Lawyer Mariam Al-Bahar suggested that the principal reasons behind the high number of divorces in the country are incompatibility between couples and a lack of understanding of the reciprocal duties of marriage. "Without an education program that instills values of cooperation and better communication between couples, things will only keep getting worse," she warned.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Privatization committee initiates restructuring of KAC

Kuwait: The Privatization Committee of Kuwait Airways (ProComm) has completed a survey reviewing the senior, technical, and administrative human resources requirements to ensure the operational effectiveness of Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) is maintained once the privatization process has commenced, a press statement said yesterday. The survey was undertaken by Seabury, ProComm’s dedicated specialist aviation consultancy, whose responsibility includes the analysis of KAC's existing and short term human capital requirements.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait University staff angry at minister's decision

KUWAIT: Kuwait University staffs are reportedly deeply disappointed at Education Minister Ahmad Al-Mulaifi's decision to increase the number of new student places available there for the upcoming academic year to 8,000, and angry at his use of what they see as blackmail to force them to accept the increased student numbers. Speaking on condition of anonymity, one KU academic condemned the minister's declaration during a recent meeting with faculty members that those who would not accept the increased student number should submit their resignation. "The [university's] higher council members said it was a direct threat," said the academic. "The minister doesn't seem to be aware of the fact that increasing the number of students without considering the current situation is a big, costly mistake.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwaiti Cabinet holds weekly meeting

Kuwait -- Kuwaiti Cabinet held Sunday its weekly meeting at Seif Palace here, under the chairmanship of His Highness Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Following the meeting, State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Ali Fahad Al-Rashed made a statement on the meeting's deliberations and outcome. The Cabinet was briefed on His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's decree on appointing Abdulwahab Al-Haroun as State Minister for Planning and Development Affairs. The government welcomed Haroun's appointment and wished him best performance in his ministry, Al-Rashed said. The Cabinet was also apprised of Minister of Information and Communications Sami Al-Nesef's resignation because of health reasons and the Amiri decree on appointing Minister of Electricity and Water Salem Al-Uthayna as acting Information and Communications Minister.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Expats lament frustrating bureaucratic processes

Kuwait: "They are always busy doing nothing," thundered Abdul Hassan, a Syrian expatriate at the Kuwait Ministry of Electricity and Water office in South Surra. As you walk into any Kuwait government establishments, you will be welcomed by stony faces waiting anxiously and boiling in anger and frustration. I have been coming here for the past four days now, just to cancel my electricity contract and collect my KD125 insurance deposit. I moved to another apartment in Salmiya, of which, I have to cancel the electricity contract at my former place. This has taken me more than two weeks," Hassan said in dismay. First, I was instructed to go to my former area (Reggae) after which they finally referred me to the head office, claiming that they didn't have money to pay," he continued. "On reaching the head office, I was sent from one office to another. As if that weren't enough, I have just been referred to the Central Bank in Kuwait City - can you imagine that?" Hassan's story was echoed by most of the people interviewed by the Kuwait Times for this article.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait PM holds official talks with Bahraini counterpart

His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah held official discussions with his Bahraini counterpart, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa at Manama's Gudaibiya Palace on Friday. The two sides expressed readiness to coordinate on issues of joint interest, regional and international affairs and Gulf Cooperation Council efforts. For his part, Prince Khalifa expressed gratitude for Kuwait's position on the recent crisis that his country went through, which he said was not unusual, and was a position of support at all times and circumstances.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

he captain was a passenger on the Dubai-Kuwait flight

Kuwait: A Kuwait Airways (KAC) pilot arrested after his arrival at Kuwait International Airport (KIA) over suspected intoxication has insisted that he was innocent of the charges against him. Officials from KAC, Kuwait's national airline, have stressed that the pilot in question was not flying the plane which he arrived on but was a passenger, although some Kuwaiti media quoted passengers on the flight as stating that the pilot had sounded inebriated. The incident took place on Thursday when the pilot, who arrived on a flight from Dubai, was arrested after reportedly becoming involved in a violent altercation with customs officials after he refused to allow them to inspect his luggage, with customs officials stating that he was heavily intoxicated.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Highly toxic pesticides used in Saudi date farms

About 16,000 date-palm farms in Ahsa, Eastern Province, were using highly toxic pesticides from 1995 to 2008, according to a recent study. This covers nearly 70 percent of date palms in the region famous for its oases. The study was prepared by Muhammad bin Ali Al-Bowarthan, assistant professor of environmental health at the Applied Medical Sciences Faculty of Dammam University. The study, published in Al-Madinah Arabic newspaper, noted that 27 types of pesticides under some 50 trade names were being used to fight the red date palm weevil in the region. At least 24 chemical components used in these pesticides are classified from medium to highly toxic, harmful to both the public health and the environment. According to international criteria and classifications in line with the Rotterdam Convention, there are specific restrictions for using these types of pesticides. They are allowed to use only under the supervision of the authorized specialists and experts.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

EQUATE appoints over 100 Kuwaitis in a year

KUWAIT: EQUATE Petrochemical Company said that in a year it has hired over 100 highly qualified Kuwaitis among 173 employees at different sectors throughout the company. Addressing new employees during a gathering with senior management, EQUATE President & CEO Hamad Al-Terkait said, "As human resources are the company's most valuable assets, Kuwaitis are viewed as our main cornerstone for success through their distinguished achievements and exemplary professionalism as major elements of overall sustainability in Kuwait and beyond.Al-Terkait added, "Being an employee at EQUATE requires continuous development which is facilitated through various tactics, such as international assignments and training courses

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Taj Mahal mosque has blessings of the Indian embassy

Kuwait: India has always been an important source of the foreign labor that has built Kuwait’s skyscrapers, taught in its schools and run its businesses. With the opening of a mosque this year, the subcontinent has become a source of architectural inspiration, too. The As-Sadeeqa Fatimatul Zahra Mosque, built in the style of the Taj Mahal, is already gaining a reputation as one of Kuwait’s most distinctive buildings.“It’s giving a sight for the [passengers of] planes when they come in,” said Eisa Mohammed, the supervisor of the Shiite mosque in the Abdullah al Mubarak residential area, a suburb on the approach to Kuwait International Airport.“Inside, it’s totally different. It’s not the same as the Taj Mahal for sure,” Mr Mohammed said. “It’s not a mausoleum; it’s not a visiting place; it’s a place for praying.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait cautions against fictitious summer sales in shops

Kuwait: Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Thursday urged consumers not to be deceived by fake shop discounts, as a total of 186 fraud cases have been reported during this summer season. The ministry regretted in a release that some shops, malls and trade centers usually make untrue sales in a bid to seduce consumers, warning that its inspectors are vigilant against such attempts. The ministry said it was seeking to protect consumers so that they would not be easy preys to violators, vowing that it would apply trade fraud law to breakers.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Price up by 20%, demand shifts to baqalas, other supermarket

KUWAIT: Cooperative Societies have stopped stocking certain brands of cigarettes after suppliers raised the prices without justification. The move came after suppliers increased the price per packet of cigarettes by 100 fils or approximately 20 percent. An official at the Union of Consumer Cooperative Societies (UCCS) said that the societies took the decision to stop stocking these cigarette brands after a cigarette supplying company in Kuwait decided to raise the prices without complying with the UCCS' RuLes.This particular company which supplies different brands was striking deals with each Co-op, setting different prices for each area without prior studying," he said.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwaits PM meets with UAE president

United Arab Emirates-- His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah met Wednesday with UAE President Sheikh Khalifah Bin Zayed Al-Nahayan at Al-Rowdha Palace here. During the encounter, both officials discussed the brotherly strong relations between Kuwait and UAE that have been supported and developed by both leaders His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahamd Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and UAE President Sheikh Khalifah in all fields.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwaiti women file for divorce from partying husbands

A group of Kuwaiti women have filed for divorce after discovering their husbands spent a New Year’s Eve partying in Lebanon, while claiming they were performing Umrah in Mecca, local daily Gulf News reported citing a lawyer.“At the beginning of this year, 33 Kuwaiti women contacted me to file for divorce after they discovered that their husbands who said that they were on a spiritual trip to Mecca to perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia went in fact to Lebanon to celebrate New Year’s Eve,” the paper quoted the Kuwaiti lawyer Abdullah al-Shibani as saying.“Many husbands cause the end of their marriages by cheating and lying to their wives,” the lawyer added. According to the report, religious leaders have been calling for greater awareness about the importance of marriage amid a surging rate of divorce in the Gulf emirate.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwaiti Premier's Gulf tour welcomed by host nations

A senior Kuwaiti diplomat in Saudi Arabia yesterday affirmed the success of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah's visit to the Kingdom. Speaking after the premier's departure from Saudi Arabia on the next leg of his two-day tour, Chancellor Theyab Al-Rashidi, the Kuwaiti Charge d'Affaires at the embassy in Riyadh, said that HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed had met during his visit with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, as well as senior Saudi government officials.HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed and his accompanying delegation were seen off from Medina Airport at the conclusion of their visit by Medina's Amir, Prince Abdulaziz Bin Majid Bin Abdulaziz.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

CSC compels public sector bodies to employ more Kuwaitis

Kuwait :The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has introduced a number of amendments to the current employment laws in order to create public sector job opportunities for Kuwaitis. One CSC insider said that the commission's new amendments aim to increase the percentage of Kuwaitis working in the public sector to 90 percent of the total workforce, with only 10 percent of expatriate employees allowed. The ministerial council has reportedly rejected requests from some public sector bodies with separate budgets to be exempted from the new regulations, adding that all public sector bodies must comply with the rules and regulations on national labor.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Undersecretary quits post ahead of reshuffle

KUWAIT: A top Ministry of Interior official has reportedly chosen to tender his resignation instead of undergoing an impending reshuffle to be carried out by the prime minister. According to a news report quoting officials, Sheikh Athbi Al-Fahad Al-Sabah tendered his resignation from his post as assistant undersecretary for state security affairs, after Sheikh Ahmad Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah, the deputy prime minister and minister of interior asked him to select the senior post he wished for during the reshuffle process.Furthermore, officials who spoke on condition of anonymity as the ministry is yet to make an official announcement indicated that , Maj Gen Abdulhameed Al-Awadhi, the assistant undersecretary for Criminal Investigations Department was selected to replace the outgoing Sheikh Athbi Al-Fahad.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait real estate sector poised for robust growth

KUWAIT: According to several recently published reports, the outlook for Kuwait's real estate sector is looking up. After hitting a low in 2009, the real estate market has begun to show signs of recovery and following a moderate expansion in 2010, it appears poised for more robust growth this year. On April 22, Kuwait Finance House (KFH), the country's largest Sharia-compliant financial institution, issued a report detailing the first-quarter performance of the domestic real estate sector. The report estimated that the total value of real estate transactions - including residential, investment and commercial segments - grew by 5.3 percent over the previous quarter. This continues a trend that was set in 2010. According to an April 2011 report, published by National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), real estate sales "have been trending higher since the middle of 2009 when the Kuwait and the world economies started recovering from the financial crisis." Indeed, NBK found that average monthly real estate sales grew from KD 108.7 million in 2009 to KD 166.1 million in 2010, an increase of nearly 53 percent. In annual terms, this amounts to a total market of nearly KD2 billion in 2010.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Fish prices increase due to bad weather

KUWAIT: The dusty weather that has gripped the country has led to a 20 percent rise in the prices of one of Kuwait's favorite dishes- fish. According to an official from the Fishermen's Union in Sharq, who spoke with Kuwait Times on condition of anonymity, the surge in price was expected due to bad weather over the last four days. The Zubaidi variety for example [large size] was priced at KD five per kilogram last week. Now, it is sold at KD 6. The same applies to Hamour variety as well; last week it was sold at KD 4 per kilogram, now it costs KD 5 [the large size]. "The bad weather condition has contributed to the rise in prices when many fishermen during prefer to stay ashore. In addition, summer is already slow [catch by quantity] because most of the fisherman is on leave," he added. Compared to last year, prices of fish variety are significantly lower. In fact, Zubaidi, the same size was priced between KD 8 to 10 per kilogram last year. Hamour was priced between KD 6to 8 per kilogram. "Fish are traditionally not plentiful during summer because we already know that many Kuwaitis and expatriates spend the summer outside [of Kuwait]. So, we see to it that our supply is limited as per our need," he opined. Like shrimps, fishing Zubaidi is also prohibited in Kuwaiti waters from June 1 to mid-August to facilitate reproduction.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait govt discuss demographic structure, traffic

KUWAIT-- Cabinet members and officials from the higher council of planning and development discussed Sunday evening three major reports dealing with housing development, demographic structure and traffic congestions, and electricity and water consumption. Chairman of the housing and human development committee Saleh Al-Fadhel briefed officials how the government should address demographic irregularities, citing the declining number of Kuwaiti population compared to the influx of non-Kuwaitis into the country over the past years.Al-Fadhala noted that the majority of Kuwaitis were youth, a matter that would trigger more spending to help this spectrum thus ultimately increasing dependence on imported labor, Minister of State for cabinet affairs Ali Al-Rashed said after the meeting, chaired by His Highness Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah at Al-Sief Palace.Al-Fadhala, in his report, gave a number of proposals to address the demographic imbalance between the Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis, said Al-Rashed.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait investors invited to China-Arab economic forum

KUWAIT: Visiting board member of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Ma Jiang urged Kuwait public and private sector investors to contribute to the Second China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum, to be held from Sept 21 to 25. Ma said during his visit to Kuwait that this forum is meant to promote economic and trade cooperation and friendly exchanges between China, the Arab States and the Muslim-majority Chinese autonomous Ningxia Hui region in which the forum would be held. He added that the forum would be co-organized by the Ministry of Commerce, the CCPIT and the People's Government of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.The 2011 China (Ningxia) International Investment and Trade Fair would be held on sidelines of the forum. The Fair and Forum will be attended by Chinese and international ministers and senior officials as well as representatives from international organizations.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Tough measures introduced to help Filipino workers in Kuwait

KUWAIT: The newly designated Labor Attaché from Philippines Embassy David Des Decang was introduced to the Filipino community in Kuwait on Thursday. The introductory meeting was held at the Philippines' Embassy's Consular Section, in which leaders from the community, members of the press and embassy officials were present. The new labor attaché promised to introduce tougher 'drastic measures' to help compatriots working in Kuwait as household service workers (housemaids) skilled and professional workers.Decang assumed post as labor attaché to Kuwait on June 1, after former Labor Attaché Vivo Vidal and his assistant Ofelia Castro Hudson were recalled in connection with suspected involvement in 'human trafficking' issue. Both have denied allegations pending investigation. A native of Baguio City, Decang has served as the former Filipino Labor Attaché to Saudi Arabia before assuming the post in Kuwait.

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait Info Alerts | News

Kuwait calls for global efforts to tackle food security issu

Kuwait: Kuwait's Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) stressed the need for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to unite the world in tackling food security issues. Upon the ushering in of a new Director-General, during his attendance of a FAO conference yesterday, PAAAFR Director Jassem Al-Bader said that the UN organization was approaching a new threshold which called for a modern approach in order to overcome past obstacles. Newly-appointed Jose Graziano da Silva had a tough task of unifying FAO member countries, Al-Bader said. Widespread hunger and poverty are the fundamental challenge which represent the main aim of FAO member nations, he said, which call to set aside differences and work together to achieve targeted aspirations.