Maritime transport vital in development

LONDON: Kuwait government has listed the maritime transport and logistics sector as one of the most important sectors in New Kuwait Vision 2035 development plan to exploit Kuwait strategic location, Communication Ministry Undersecretary Kholoud AlShehab said yesterday. Shehab said, on the sidelines of Kuwait’s participation at the 31st Assembly session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), that Kuwait owns a group of latest ports in the region, which witnesses continuous developments, in addition to being one of the major oil exporters. The maritime transport sector represents 90 percent of the means of transport for commercial goods, transport of crude oil and its derivatives in addition to livestock, she added. Kuwait’s participation in the meetings comes to run for the membership of the IMO Council, which will be held next Friday, expressing hope for Kuwait to have enough votes for a seat in the Council, she added. The Ministry Undersecretary is heading the Kuwaiti delegation in the biennial elections to select the board of directors of the organization, which is one of the most important UN organizations concerned with maritime affairs. The International Maritime Organization is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships. IMO’s work supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals. — KUNA