‘Diversify to compensate for oil’
“THE local newspapers have published sensational statements issued by the Central Bank Governor, seemingly directed at the Minister of Finance - although he did not name the person of the minister - in which the governor has assured that he had informed the concerned officials of the need to follow a package of measures – (which he did not disclose) to confront the stifling financial crisis,” columnist Dr. Ali Abdul Rahman Al-Huwail wrote for Al-Rai daily.
“While the economists and financial experts, including the IMF, the World Bank, the international credit rating agencies ‘Standard & Poor’s’ and ‘Moody’s’, in addition to the Kuwaiti experts, the global economic crisis will continue for a long time and that it may turn into a global recession, and that Kuwait is not ready or prepared to face it, unlike the readiness of the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia and most of the oil-producing countries.
“Kuwait all along over the years has not paid attention to strengthen its economy against crises because the crisis is not limited to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the state of recession or depression that accompanies it only, there is an international trend to dispense with oil fuel and replace it with clean and renewable energy sources.
“Several countries have announced their intention to stop manufacturing vehicles powered by oil during the next two decades. If we take into account that fuel represents 81 percent of the value of a barrel of oil, then one can imagine the gravity of the crisis, especially if we link it to what is called the oil peak at which production will decrease and with it the price of the barrel of oil and not return to its peak and is expected to reach it in the year 2045.
“Standard & Poor’s confirmed in its recent report that Kuwait should control salaries, reduce subsidies and impose the tax system, in addition to urging Kuwaitization and accelerating diversification of sources of income to avoid entering into the circle of danger, and Moody’s has resorted to downgrading Kuwait’s rating if it did not find a response from the state (Kuwait) to its recommendations, and the government is still reluctant to reveal to the nation the truth of the crisis and the necessities of addressing it, knowing that previous governments did not demonstrate their ability to fulfill the obligations and requirements of treatment.
“Imposing a tax system within the constitutional frameworks alone will not achieve the expected returns from it in the foreseeable future, at least. The two classes in society - the middle and lower classes - are overburdened with debts and will not bear any other costs, and it will not be possible for the government at present to expand imposing taxes on the upper class.
“The real and permanent solution to face the crisis and maintain a good level of well-being for citizens lies in increasing income to compensate for lost oil processing, as oil experts confirm that the expansion of the petrochemical industry can compensate for the losses of the lack of demand for petroleum fuels, and even doubling the price of a barrel of oil several times.
“Since salaries and subsidies consume between 70 and 90 percent of total income, it is necessary to redirect subsidies and limit their use to those who deserve it without others, and to intensify pressure on the private sector to employ Kuwaitis as much as possible, and the continuous expansion in supporting small and medium enterprises and studying the fragmentation of the dinar, while continuing to support its purchasing power and controlling prices locally.
“In addition to the above there is a dire need to encourage foreign investments, specifically the implementation of the Chinese agreement with special arrangements with Iraq, which includes participating together in major projects such as implementing its railways project with right to use it for a number of years.”
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“This is the question that everyone is asking in light of the increase in the number of infections, in spite of all the pre-emptive measures taken at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic because we are still at square one as if all the measures taken so far have gone with the wind, since the expectations have not been realized,” columnist Mubarak Al-Abdulhadi wrote for Al-Jarida daily.
“One may ask, ‘Who is responsible, especially since everyone is fed up with the continued increase in infections virus this epidemic, whose rates are supposed to be declining while the numbers are still the same fluctuating at the same level that were during the partial and complete curfew, and then after the gradual return to normalcy?
“We do not want the medical staff to bear the burden, but why did the plans of the Minister of Health not succeed in curbing the high number of infections? The many health justifications, and holding a large portion of the society responsible for non-compliance with health requirements and other means of protection, the Ministry seems to have forgotten the proverb ‘Those who know no punishment, will misbehave’.
“The ministry did not deal with any seriousness in holding the non-committed accountable, especially in light of the great openness in violating the health measures that the Ministry of Health boasts about. The ministry is the first to blame because it did not impose fines, for example, or imprisonment for those who have deliberately not complied or not subjected to quarantine procedures. Only a few have respected or followed the instructions.
“The great disaster is what happened during the byelections the unacceptable gatherings that come under multiple justifications, we are bored and fed up with and other terms that end with Corona infection due to this great ignorance.
“In front of all this overwhelming chaos and the warning of a second, more fierce wave, we are still singing on the ruins, and we are still waiting for the daily health report as we monitor the numbers of recoveries, injuries, intensive care and deaths, and many MPs and candidates for the elections are still going on their rounds and meetings in the diwaniyas and other places because access to Parliament is important than the health of others.
“We are faced with the negligence of a ministry that earlier boasted of its achievements and preoccupied itself with so many other issues before the current Cabinet decision No 5 of this month was issued, in the midst of real failures from some citizens and expatriates who remain indifferent to the size of the epidemic.
“The early applause of any success gives a lesson to some jurists although we are currently in an uneasy situation which enforces the belief that it is necessary to hold accountable all those who were negligent in the application of the law as usual, and to confront the Minister of Health to explain the reasons for the increase in infections instead of reductions in infections so that everyone knows who is responsible for this.”
“The solutions to many issues and crises are in the hands of Muhammad Abdullah Khaled, whether in terms of dealing with unresolved problems, choosing a strong parliament that represents the people, and a strong government in line with the strong parliament that chose it”, columnist Talal Al-Enezi wrote for Al-Rai daily.
“However, the question is – who is Muhammad Abdullah Khaled? How and why is he the solution to all these issues?
“O’ esteemed reader, Muhammad Abdullah Khaled might be you or any other citizen.
“Muhammad Abdullah Khaled is that citizen who represents the great majority of the Kuwaiti people! He is a citizen who does not follow any political or ideological current. He is the simple citizen who is all concerned about his livelihood and improving its standard, and whose life revolves around his job and home only.
“Muhammad Abdullah Khaled is the citizen who has not been polluted by the pollutants of politics and its corridors. He is that citizen who does not know the names of the members of the National Assembly or the names of the ministers. He is the citizen whose back is broken with debts and loans. He is the one who does not have a relative who sees him every day suffer from unresolved longstanding issues.
“Muhammad Abdullah Khaled represents the percentage of the Kuwaiti people who do not participate in elections – this usually exceeds 35-40 percent. So if Muhammad Abdullah Khaled puts Kuwait’s interest in his mind and goes on to participate in the elections and vote for the competent person, then we will have a strong and honest parliament, and subsequently a competent Cabinet which will be able to solve all problems and obstacles.
“We will see a solution to the demographics issue, the crises of loans, housing, education and the Bedoun residents. We will also find solutions to our dependence on a single source of income, which is oil.
“However, if Muhammad Abdullah Khaled misuses the choice, all will scatter. Now you know how and why the solution is in the hands of Muhammad Abdullah Khaled.”
“The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has exposed two dangerous phenomena -- unemployment and fraud in distance education! If these two phenomena escalate, they could cause psychological, social, economic and political damages to science, education and the educational system,” columnist Dr Mohammad Al-Duwaihees wrote for Al-Shahid daily.
“The number of jobless people has increased due to the current health and economic conditions. Most authorities, ministries, institutions, entities and companies operate with half of their employees. Some of these employees are working partially, which forced them to stay at home for a longer period. Family problems and psychological disturbances emerged due to the partial and total curfew, in addition to fear of the unknown!
“Some employees were able to adapt to the new events and circumstances, especially in the field of family relations, but the majority are not accustomed to staying at home without work for a long time, along with the need to adhere to health instructions, security and health precautions!
“Therefore, we found that the coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic has caused psychological anxiety in some people, especially those who are not used to staying at home as they love to travel!
“On distance education, the absence of follow-up and monitoring has been exploited by some weak souls - students, private tutors or educational institutes - to be involved in fraud and forgery in exchange for money!”