SMEs panel member says clashes in decision-making led to complications
1,030 licences for home-based businesses issued
Walid Al-Tabtabaei during the meeting of Arab Parliament Committee.
By Ahmed Al-Naqeeb
Arab Times Staff
KUWAIT CITY, July 4: In a bid to improve the small and medium enterprises, the parliamentary committee in charge of this sector met recently during which the members concluded that the problem lies in similarities in expertise and obligations of governmental bodies which issue licences and regulate such activities.
Member of the Small and Medium Enterprises Committee in the Parliament MP Osama Al-Shaheen said clashes in decision-making led to complications; thereby, slowing down the process and harming applicants.
He pointed out this issue affects those applying for food truck projects, as the nature of the project requires attention of multiple governmental bodies; particularly in the allocation of space. He revealed around 400 applications have been submitted but only 39 were approved and they are still waiting for allocation of their space.
Since the specified locations for food trucks include chalets, sports clubs, sea front, parks and farms; the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR), Public Authority for Youth and Sports, Public Authority for Tourism and Kuwait Municipality are locking horns on who should be in charge of the matter.
Talking about home-based businesses, the MP said those who have acquired licenses for this type of commercial activity are still waiting for their financial allocation from the National Manpower Support Program despite the promises made by several concerned authorities. He added this is unacceptable as these citizens have risked their stable income; disclosing that around 1,030 licences for homebased businesses have been issued so far. He affirmed the committee will do everything it can to address the issue.
In another development, MP Riyadh Al-Adsani believes the agricultural holdings squandering issue, which he raised in 2014 and has been following up till date, remains unsolved and there has been no solid reform in this regard.
He pointed out how the Cabinet asked Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority to present a report on the issue.
He stated the Cabinet enjoys selfsupervision, arguing that referring the issue to another supervisory body only raises more questions considering the government is in charge of allocating agricultural plots. “Why not submit all the files to Kuwait AntiCorruption Authority and allow the latter to build the case, instead of asking for a report based on information taken from talks,” the MP wondered.
Therefore, the MP called on HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber AlMubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah to refrain from suspending those who committed mistakes as it will only complicate matters. He said the Parliament and judiciary will hold them responsible if found guilty.