Lawmaker decries govt plans to rehabilitate returning IS members
‘They belong in jail after prosecution’
KUWAIT: MP Saleh Ashour stressed that rehabilitating Islamic State (IS) members returning to Kuwait would be disastrous for domestic security. “These people have violated Kuwaiti laws and taken part in war operations with terrorists. Therefore, sympathizing with them would be deemed as support to international terrorism,” he warned, rejecting a statement by the Awqaf Ministry’s Undersecretary about the ministry’s intention to prepare special programs to rehabilitate returnees. “They pose potential destruction and turmoil threats,” he said. “These people belong in jail after prosecuting them,” he added, urging the government to stop sending the wrong message to the world. “We cannot tolerate compromising Kuwait’s security,” he underlined, urging the government to impose laws to avoid sociopolitical crises.
Jaber Hospital
The Public Investment Authority (PIA) finished preparations to set up a closed shareholding company to run Jaber Hospital, said informed sources, noting that the company will be entirely owned by PIA before turning it into a public shareholding company later to attract strategic investors. The sources added that the company’s capital would be KD 150 million.
No transfers
The Ministry of Education (MoE) yesterday issued a directive suspending all transfers within educational directorates or from one directorate to another as educational teaching staff and timetables are stable now at various schools. The ministry added that in case of any urgent shortages, a teacher can only be deputized to other schools, said educational sources. The sources also noted that Ahmadi educational zone is now fully staffed with teachers and all it needs to resolve the problem of teachers in Sabah Al-Ahmed City schools is to coordinate with respective supervisors.
Public transports
A report by Arcadis consultancy firm for natural and built assets on sustainable cities showed that Kuwait’s public transport networks are very limited and hinder development. The report also showed that cities such as Cairo suffer from public transport limitations as well as high levels of air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions. According to the report, Kuwait is ranked fourth amongst the world’s worst sustainable cities.
Labor city
The Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects and Kuwait Municipality have prepared shortlist of companies that would take part in the labor city project due to be built in southern Jahra. The authority explained that the list includes Kuwait National Real Estate Co, United Real Estate Co, Agility Warehousing Co, National Industries Group, Mazaya, Kuwait Investment Company, Tareq Al-Ghanem Co, China State Co, Fuad Al-Ghanem and Sons and Al-Markaz. The authority explained that the project, due to be built over a total area of 1.15 million sq m, would be built within three years and that the contract’s tenure would be 40 years.
Budget deficit
The Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Research Unit recommended reducing investments in Kuwait’s foreign debt bonds, as it expects the state budget deficit to continue as the largest in
GCC states, with the exception of Kuwait’s foreign investments. Notably, Bank of
America was not one of the international banks that coordinated international bidding for Kuwaiti bonds.
According to the report,
Kuwait’s credit classification is rated ‘AA’ as per Fitch and Standard & Poor’s. It is classified at ‘Aa2’ by Moody’s. The report added that Kuwait issued international bonds worth $8 billion in March and that quick financial measures were not likely to happen because of the parliament that is hindering the government’s endeavors to cut expenses and rationalize subsidies. Bank of America also predicted that such negative impacts will affect economic reform plans.