Kuwait planning huge cross-sector projects

State of Kuwait plans to execute mega projects in various sectors in the coming decade in coordination with local and foreign entrepreneurs, affirmed Kuwait's Minister of Communications and Minister of State for Housing Affairs Salem Al-Utheina. The Kuwaiti Government is seeking to carry out guidelines of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah rapidly with respect of execution of a number of development ventures that directly affect citizens' daily living, said Al-Utheina during a meeting with a group of Kuwaiti students studying in the United Kingdom, late on Thursday. Al-Utheina is a member of a high-ranking Kuwaiti delegation including Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and Minister of Commerce and Industry Anas Al-Saleh. Also present at the meeting was the head of the Kuwaiti Cultural Office, Dr. Mohammad Al-Hajeri. The Kuwaiti ministerial delegation took part, on Wednesday, in a convention on investment opportunities in Kuwait, aimed at promoting recently-endorsed legislations intended to encourage investments and lure external capitals. Elaborating, Al-Utheina stated that the government is also seeking to privatize a number of sectors, indicating in particular at Kuwait Airways, fleet of which would be upgraded very soon. Also in this vein, the minister indicated that the government would not neglect rights of the employees serving in the sectors that would be privatized. Moreover, the State of Kuwait will impose on companies that win investment tenders to employ Kuwaiti youth, he said, adding that the government will privatize several sectors in coordination with local and international mega companies, noting that the process would target, in the near future, communications, transports and air navigation. Al-Utheina expressed optimism that the privatization process would be successful, particularly in light of enactment of several legislations. For his part, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah said in a statement to KUNA meeting of the ministers with the students was held in line with guidelines of the political leadership to listen to them about their problems. Remarks that were made by a number of students would be referred to the relevant authorities, he said, noting that some students protested high cost of living in the UK, others requested higher monthly financial allocations and a number asked for lower airfares. The government, according to instructions of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, will spare no effort in tackling any obstacles that may face the students with scholarships to study abroad, he affirmed. Minister Al-Saleh made identical remarks urging the students to do their best to enhance their skills and serve Kuwait.