Commerce to link system with 4 government bodies
Govt, Council on right track
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 21: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has completed procedures to link its system with four other government bodies — Kuwait Municipality, Interior Ministry, Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) and Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) — in a bid to expedite the processing of transactions, reports Al-Shahed daily quoting sources.
Sources confirmed there have been weekly meetings on linking more government institutions in various fields in order to lessen bureaucracy and to complete transactions within a shorter period, in line with the directives of the higher authority in the ministry.
Sources explained the ministry’s strategy depends on obtaining approval for the electronic link with other government bodies, indicating the ministry is keen on expediting work in commercial licensing sectors.
In the same context, sources revealed all departments related to company sectors in the ministry receive about 600 transactions daily. Sources said these transactions include establishment of new companies, change of entity, updating information of companies, renewal and other transactions pertaining to the companies sector. Sources added the number of transactions increased after changing the mechanism from manual to electronic submission, compared to 150 to 200 transactions per day in the past.
Sources affirmed all companies have been cooperative in the implementation of the new electronic mechanism for processing transactions, with the exception of the elderly and people with special needs.
Sources added the electronic system reduced the space utilized by the ministry’s database for companies, especially after enabling the application for setting appointments online. Sources asserted this makes the work of the respective department easier, once the client submits the required documents.
Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee in the Supreme Council for Planning Nasser AlRawdan disclosed that the recentlyconcluded meeting is considered a step towards comprehensive rectification of the economic situation, affirming the government and the council are on the right track in terms of handling the situation, reports Al-Rai daily.
Al-Rawdan believes the rationalization of subsidies is not the right solution considering the issue is related to administration and decision-making. He urged the State to privatize the services sector while stressing the need to protect the national workforce. He pointed out the results of privatization will be seen in 2035; clarifying he supports privatization provided it is done gradually, not randomly.
He added that during the meeting the finance minister presented his views on the proposed rectification of the economic situation and privatization, describing the presentation as inclusive and good.