Private sector to lead economic activities to increase efficiency
‘Vision 2035 lacks correct implementation procedures’
KUWAIT CITY, Jan 26: Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development Dr Khaled Mahdi affirmed that Kuwait’s new Vision 2035 is based on the desire of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad to transform the country to an attractive financial and commercial hub for investment where private sector leads the economic activities to encourage competition and increase efficiency, reports Al-Rai daily.
He explained that private sector participation will consolidate social values and ensure sustenance of human development through balanced infrastructure, advanced legislation and an environment conducive for business.
Speaking at a recent symposium organized by the Future of the Homeland Movement titled ‘Kuwait’s Development Plan according to Vision 2035’, Dr Mahdi said the railway scheme, which is linked to projects of the GCC countries and included in the development plan, is still in the consultative stage to specify the mechanism of implementation and designs. He affirmed that the idea entails renewal of the fourth structural plan that set the path for implementation of the project, indicating this project will be different from what was announced at the beginning of studies and proposals.
Project
On the “metro” project, Dr Mahdi emphasized that it’ll be linked to the railway project, noting the Silk Road project has become a big name in the northern region. He said they’re waiting for approval of the three basic requirements; the northern regional project law, the structural plan, and the mechanism of financing the project.
For his part, president of the movement Salem Al-Ajmi explained that ‘Vision 2035’ lacks correct implementation procedures, noting it should be done by exploiting all available capabilities devoid of bureaucracy in a bid to remove all obstacles in its way. He also said the movement is ready to provide necessary support to ensure smooth implementation of the development plan.
On the seriousness of implementing the development scheme, Dr Mahdi said it’s a novice idea yet-to-be applied in other countries and it’s full of challenges and failures as per global competitive indicators, citing business environment index that is linked to 27 indicators.
Regarding the difference between the development plan and the structural plan, Mahdi explained that structural plan is the spatial and architectural drawing of the state’s form based on policies of the development plan approved by law.
He indicated that private sector has been selected to manage economic activities because it encourages competition and contributes to raising efficiency and productivity.