News in Brief

KFAED, Nicaragua sign deal: Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) on Sunday signed a $30-million loan agreement with Nicaragua; the first of its kind, to rehabilitate a specialized hospital in the city of Chinandega, some 134 kilometers northwest of the capital Managua.

“This is the first loan agreement to Nicaragua since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1989,” Kuwait’s Ambassador to the United Mexican States and non-resident to Nicaragua Sameeh Hayat said in a statement.

He made the remark after Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega received the Fund’s Deputy Director General Ghanim AlGhunaiman, accompanied by a visiting delegation to the country.

Senior Nicaraguan officials, spearheaded by President Ortega, commended the agreement as a step to further already distinguished relations between the two friendly countries, Ambassador Hayat noted.

Bilateral relations between Kuwait and Nicaragua have recently flourished, with the Latin country opening an embassy and assigning an ambassador in Kuwait City last year. (KUNA) Reshuffle in oil sector: The oil sector will be reshuffled this month, during which radical changes are expected due to the crisis between members of the board of directors of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and the oil minister, reports Al-Shahid daily quoting sources.

Sources disclosed a group of oil sector employees intends to submit a letter to the minister after the last reshuffle to demand for their rights. Sources said the problems started during the tenure of the previous minister who recruited officials known for their affiliation to the Muslim Brotherhood - an issue that delayed the implementation of projects. Sources added the issue has sparked controversies, making the minister the main topic in most controversial parliamentary discussions. Defense unveils plan: The Ministry of Defense has unveiled a plan to carry out maintenance and renovation works in power stations affiliated to the ministry’s camps, reports Al-Shahid daily quoting sources.

Sources clarified this step is aimed at ensuring continuity of power supply and to avoid electrical faults.

On the other hand, sources revealed the Ministry of Electricity and Water has reached an agreement with the Central Tenders Committee to reschedule floating a tender on the import, installation and operation of gas turbines to increase electricity capacity. Sources said the tender was supposed to be offered to companies accredited by the ministry on Oct 28 but it was postponed for one month - until Nov 30.