Govt committed to transparency on state’s financial conditions
KUWAIT:
Kuwait’s Ministry of Finance Monday affirmed complete commitment to transparency with regards to the state’s financial conditions, saying it was ready to clarify all relevant queries. The ministry said Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Anas AlSaleh, Managing Director of Kuwait Investment Authority and ministry officials met with members of Kuwait Economic society, regarding the society’s statement over withdrawal from the general reserve. The government delegation clarified some issues in the society’s statement which were not reported in details by the media. The delegation thanked the society for its interest in financial issues.
Gulf crisis
Meanwhile, the cabinet met on Monday following Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit as the region was witnessing a flurry of diplomacy over the Gulf crisis. His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, who chaired the meeting at Bayan Palace, briefed the ministers about Erdogan’s talks with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, which dealt with regional and international affairs. Erdogan, who visited Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar, has reiterated support for the mediation of Kuwait to solve the Gulf crisis.
Meanwhile, First Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah briefed the cabinet about his recent visit to Egypt and his meeting with President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi, which dealt with coordination and consultations over regional and international issues, notably how to address the Gulf crisis, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah AlSabah, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Acting Information Minister, said in a statement after the cabinet meeting. Sheikh Sabah AlKhaled reiterated Kuwait’s support for Egypt’s fight against terrorism, and its policies to maintain security and stability nationwide. He also briefed the cabinet about outcome of EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini’s recent visit to Kuwait and her talks with His Highness the Amir and the Foreign Minister, all regarding means of solving the Gulf crisis.
On the other hand, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled talked about notification sent to the Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait to reduce number of diplomats, close all technical offices and freeze joint committees. Deputy Premier and Defense Minister Sheikh Mohammad Khaled Al-Hamad AlSabah briefed the cabinet about his representation of His Highness the Amir at the inauguration of Egypt’s Mohammad Nejeeb Military Base, and his delivery of a letter from His Highness the Amir to Al-Sisi.
Final statements
The cabinet then approved draft laws of final statements for 2016-17 fiscal year for government institutions, and referred them to His Highness the Amir. The ministers, upon instructions of His Highness the Prime Minister, decided to refer to the State Audit Bureau (SAB) uncertainties surrounding final statements of some government authorities in order to guarantee transparency. The government assigned the technical authority of the privatization program to prepare legal environment for the privatization of some state-owned facilities. At the external front, the cabinet strongly condemned the Israeli occupation authorities’ security measures in AlAqsa Mosque, and urged the international community to put an end to the Israeli “criminal acts” to pave way for worshippers to pray in peace. The government congratulated Sultan Qaboos bin Saeed of Oman on the national day, and welcomed the election of Ram Nath Kovind as the president of India.