At a time when the Public Authority for Roads and Transportation (PART) is studying the completion of bids for the tender of study, design, and preparation of documents for the railway project in its first phase, a government report stated that the tender No. 1 AH I/I for the project of study work, detailed design and preparation of documents was announced in issue No. 1618 of the official gazette dated January 15 at the request of PART. The report explained that the tender being offered is concerned with studying and designing the first phase of the Gulf Track railway project and the facilities affiliated with the project with a length of 111 km.

Kuwait is the northern station of the railway for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and the Kuwait section of the network represents about five percent of the total with a length of 111 km and connects directly to Saudi Arabia. The first phase was subject to a tender in January for a period of one year. It has three phases, with the first phase involving preparatory work and initial design for a period of four months for the consultant, and one month for the entity’s review, thus a total of five months. The second phase involves financial modeling and feasibility study, with a working period of 1.5 months for the consultant, half a month for review, and thus two months in total.

The third phase, it includes the detailed design and tender documents, with a working period of six months for the consultant and a review period of two months, with a total of eight months. The second and third phases will be implemented concurrently. The proposed project is a “first phase” study and design only, while construction and implementation will take place in three subsequent phases. The first stage includes appointing an international consultant to provide advisory services related to preliminary design work for railway tracks, developing the necessary solutions to address conflicts, fulfilling the requirements of relevant authorities, and preparing the technical documents for the project. The second phase is concerned with the work of qualifying, offering, and awarding the project work to investors in accordance with the established procedures, in addition to presenting and awarding the work of supervising the implementation to an international consultant. The third phase is concerned with implementing all the work related to the project.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Budgets and Final Accounts Committee MP Osama Al-Zaid disclosed that the representatives of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) recently discussed the comments of the CSC on the recruitment procedures in ministries and their subsidiaries. Al-Zaid said the CSC recorded a total of 1,222 violations; 1,133 of which have yet to be addressed, asserting this is unacceptable. He added that 393 violations were recorded against public institutions and their subsidiaries, 104 of which have yet to be addressed. He was quick to clarify that some public institutions are committed to the recruitment regulations. He revealed that the number of recorded violations committed by ministries include 644 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry; 331 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; 75 by the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy; and 35 by the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR). He confirmed that the committee asked the abovementioned institutions to address the violations, especially those resulting in the illegal payment of cash to certain officials. He made it clear that any institution, that does not correct its violations will be subjected to budget-related decisions. He said a big percentage of the violations include the illegal disbursement of allowances and privileges to the undeserving.

The lawmaker went on to say that the committee found a large number of vacant leadership positions, which require the issuance of special decrees to fill up these posts. He warned that the designation of acting officials, who hold leadership positions for a long time, has negative consequences such as the delayed issuance of urgent decisions. “This happens because the acting official is afraid that the decision he makes might be wrong and lead to his dismissal. Some acting officials tend to cooperate with corrupt parties to obtain certain advantages and privileges,” he revealed.

According to Al-Zaid, the committee is keen on determining the powers granted to the CSC; as it seems such powers are unclear, up to the extent that the CSC issues exceptional decisions concerning recruitment. He cited as an example the attitude of CSC regarding the recruitment procedures, indicating that the Ministry of Education has asked the CSC to appoint a number of officials like the chairpersons of educational districts. He said the CSC replied in 12 pages; explaining that all the nominees did not meet the requirements, so it did not approve the nomination. He added that the CSC later issued a one-page decision to exempt all the nominees from the conditions and approved all of the nominations. He said this example shows that some of the CSC’s decisions are taken whimsically rather than being committed to the regulations. He was quick to stress the fact that the abovementioned decisions were issued in 2017 and 2018, which means they were issued during the term of the previous CSC officials. He emphasized that correcting the path requires the enhancement of transparency, calling for publishing the minutes of the CSC meetings to be available to ordinary citizens. He said the people’s monitoring is essential to deter any senior official from committing violations.

On the other hand, MP Majed Al- Mutairi has forwarded queries to Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State for National Assembly and Cabinet Affairs Essa Al- Kandari; considering the Amiri Diwan oversees the establishment of major projects including the new Justice Palace. Al-Mutairi requested information about the achievement rate of the Justice Palace project, copies of the relevant contracts showing the total value, the name of the contractor, and the completion date for each phase of the project. He wants to know the variation orders and their value if any, if any observations have been recorded by the relevant monitoring institutions, and if they have been addressed. He demanded copies of all correspondences between the Amiri Diwan and monitoring institutions like SAB, Legal Advice and Legislation Department, Ministry of Finance, and Central Agency for Public Tenders to assign the Amiri Diwan to oversee the project; comments recorded by SAB if any; if they were corrected or not; and if the project includes an extension of construction phases and the estimated cost of such extension.

In a recent report by Insider Monkey, Kuwait has secured the 21st position on the list of the world’s strongest growing economies. The nation exhibited a growth rate of 1%, placing it just after Japan, which claimed the 20th spot with a growth rate of 1.17%, slightly surpassing Kuwait.

Insider Monkey highlighted that Kuwait is currently on a trajectory of economic recovery, although it faces significant risks and challenges associated with long-term growth. This observation aligns with concerns raised by the International Monetary Fund, particularly in light of an ongoing political stalemate between legislative and executive authorities, deemed a crucial issue by the magazine.

Several other Gulf countries also made notable strides on the list, with the United Arab Emirates securing the eighth position and a robust GDP growth rate of 3.50%. Qatar followed closely in 13th place, boasting an average growth of 2.60%, while Bahrain secured the 17th spot with a growth rate of 2.02%.

Topping the list were Guyana with an impressive growth rate of 38.40%, Panama at 6%, and the United States at 4.9%, claiming the first, second, and third positions, respectively.

Insider Monkey outlined its methodology for determining the top-performing economies, explaining that the ranking involved isolating the top 50 economies based on per capita GDP. These major economies were then assessed based on their latest GDP growth rates, utilizing Q2 2023 data where available and adjusting for fiscal year data gaps. The report emphasized the significance of considering per capita GDP, as it helps distinguish the fastest-growing economies in Asia, Latin America, and Europe, indicating promising futures but not necessarily classifying them among the current top economic countries. Additionally, the report noted that even economies with low growth rates made the list due to recent contractions in many of the world’s wealthiest economies.

Al-Ojeiri Scientific Center announced on Sunday that the winter solstice would fall on December 22nd. The Winter Solstice occurs when the sun becomes at its lowest daily maximum elevation in the sky, leading to short daytime hours and long evenings.

The center said in a statement, obtained by Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), that the same month would witness a group of astronomical events like the meteor showers called the Geminids.(KUNA)

In a recent announcement, the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM) has emphasized its strict stance on the amendment of work permit data for expatriates, including crucial details such as name, date of birth, and nationality.

PAM outlines a clear procedure for employers seeking to modify any of these essential information. If an employer wishes to make changes, they must initiate the process by canceling the visa for the respective worker within two weeks from the date of issuance. Subsequently, the employer is required to visit the Ministry of Interior to modify the worker's database and apply for the issuance of a new work permit.

This stringent process is implemented to prevent any circumvention of rules and ensure that individuals are not attempting to recruit workers from nationalities whose recruitment permits may have been suspended by manipulating work permit information after issuance.

Additionally, the Manpower Authority underscores the importance of halting the issuance of work permits for professions and specialties for which there are qualified Kuwaiti job seekers available. This measure aims to prioritize employment opportunities for local citizens and aligns with the overarching goal of fostering a balanced workforce in Kuwait.

The Minister of Trade and Industry and Minister of State for Youth Affairs have issued Ministerial Resolution No. (171) of 2023 to regulate vehicle modifications. In the resolution, a new provision is added to the executive regulations of Law No. (117) of 2013 to address fundamental changes to vehicles.

A decisive action is taken by the Minister of Trade and Industry on vehicle modifications

Specifically, the amendment, outlined in Article One of the resolution, adds a paragraph to Article (16) and Paragraph (5) of the aforementioned law's executive regulations. License holders, shops, and companies are explicitly prohibited from making any fundamental changes to vehicles. Alterations to the vehicle's physical shape or year of manufacture fall under this category.

In addition, the resolution stipulates that prior permission must be obtained from the General Traffic Department of the Ministry of Interior before undertaking any substantial modifications to vehicles. In the realm of vehicle modifications, this regulation aims to maintain safety and compliance by ensuring all changes adhere to established guidelines.

With a view to maximizing the value of biofuel production and promoting sustainable practices, the Minister of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with the Minister of State for Youth Affairs, issued Ministerial Resolution No. (172) of 2023. In the resolution, Kuwait bans the export of used cooking oil and its waste for a year.

In accordance with the resolution, used cooking oil or its waste can only be sold to individuals or entities licensed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Environment Public Authority, and the Public Authority for Industry. In addition, those engaged in this activity must have a designated place licensed by the authorities.

Also mandated by the resolution is the use of electronic payment methods for all transactions involving used cooking oil or its waste. The purpose of this requirement is to enhance transparency and streamline financial transactions within the industry.

According to the explanatory memorandum, the decision is crucial to Kuwait's realization of added value. With the conversion of used cooking oil into biofuel, the country aims to create self-sufficient products, diversify income sources, and transfer modern technology. This transformational project will be funded by the National Fund for Small Businesses.

The memorandum emphasizes the importance of supporting national projects, especially those that contribute to sustainable development and energy security. For one year, used cooking oil waste cannot be exported to maximize benefits and create added value for the state. The report emphasizes the necessity of regulating the collection and trade of used cooking oil waste within the Kuwaiti market, so that such resources can be utilized for youth engagement and strategic projects.

The Ahmadi prosecutor, responsible for overseeing the Criminal Security Sector, has directed the Ahmadi Governorate Search and Investigation Department to arrest ten employees from an oil company. This decision follows the arrest of four expatriates who were found in possession of ten silicone fingerprints. These fingerprints were confirmed to belong to the aforementioned employees, who allegedly used them to falsely log their attendance in exchange for monthly salaries.

The Abdullah Port Investigation Office received information about four expatriates at the Abdullah Port Refinery engaging in fraudulent activities by forging fingerprints and signatures of employees. Subsequently, an investigative team was assembled, and the information was verified. The four expatriates were arrested, and ten silicone fingerprints were discovered in their office.

Upon questioning, the expatriates admitted that the fingerprints were provided to them by the ten employees. They claimed that they were responsible for the fingerprinting process on behalf of these employees. The expatriates, however, denied knowledge of the origin of these fingerprints, asserting that they were given to them by the employees themselves.

The source revealed that the charges against the defendants include receiving salaries without actually working. Similar arrests have been made in various government institutions in connection to similar cases.

Currently, the detained defendants are under investigation, and those accused of forgery have been summoned to address the allegations against them.

Member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, Badr Al-Amira, confirmed that the winter will set at the beginning of December 7, saying it is divided into three stars, with each star lasting 13 days.

In a statement to Al-Rai Al-Amira said “The first star among these three stars, which are called square because they last for forty days, is the star Antares, whose coldness is moderate and lasts until December 20 which lasts for 13 days.” Then comes the Scorpius the coldest time of the year when temperatures drop below zero.” Meteorologist Issa Ramadan advised people who venture outdoors to “wear winter clothes, in anticipation temperatures dropping during this weekend, with the lowest reaching between nine and thirteen degrees, and the highest between 23 and 24.”

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, was asked why non-commissioned officers were not included in the decision issued by the Higher Defense Council and approved by the Council of Ministers that granted indemnity to the officers who retired between January 1, 2015 and March 31, 2021. He wants to know if the beneficiaries of the decision will include noncommissioned officers. Essa Al-Kandari, the Minister of State for National Assembly and Cabinet Affairs, was asked why the Kuwait Army, Interior Ministry, Kuwait Firefighting Force and National Guard non-commissioned officers were not included in Decision No. 495/2008, regarding the granting of merit bonuses to retired officers between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2014.

A court ruling affirming that non-commissioned officers deserve a bonus was implemented, he asked. If yes, he requested copies of documents proving so. If not, he wants to know the reasons behind the non-implementation of the ruling. Jassem Al-Ostad, the Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, was asked about the plan of the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) to open outlets for selling fodder near farms. Because breeders have to buy fodder from Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries Company, which is far and crowded most of the time, they are suffering. In Kabd, Abdally, and Wafra, he wants to know whether PAAAFR conducted campaigns to deal with illegal sales outlets or black markets. In that case, he inquired about the penalties imposed on those who violated the regulations, the budget allocated for fodder subsidy, and if the amount is going to be increased.

He asked the Minister of Justice and State Minister for Housing Affairs Faleh Al-Raqaba about the measures taken to implement the decision that the Cabinet issued on Oct 1, 2022, to handover land in South Qairawan measuring 3,169,000 square meters to the Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) for the establishment of a new residential area; and if PAHW coordinated with the relevant institutions to launch this housing project. He demanded copies of supporting documents if yes. If not, what are the reasons? Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Scientific Research Adel Al-Manea was asked why teaching is not classified as a difficult profession.

MP Muhammad Al-Mahan asked Minister of Information, Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi about the number of suspended projects at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, causes of delay, average accomplishment rate, steps taken to address the causes of delay, if a committee was formed to investigate the causes, names and qualifications of committee members, conclusion of the relevant reports, if the monitoring institutions approved the tenders floated by the ministry, and if Kuwait Municipality refused to supply electricity for any project. In a question to Minister of Commerce and Industry Muhammad Al-Aiban, MP Osama Al-Shaheen asked what method Kuwait General Administration of Customs (KGAC) used to inspect the properties of individuals and private shipments. KGAC has advanced devices for determining the contents of shipments without opening them, he wants to know.

Ahmad Al-Sa'adoun, the Speaker of the National Assembly, recently met with the Jordanian Ambassador to Kuwait Senan Rakan Al- Majali, accompanied by Rahfaa Al-Awaysha, the Deputy Ambassador. Additionally, Al-Sa'adoun met with Ambassador Matar Al-Neiadi of the United Arab Emirates to Kuwait.

Climate change could trigger a wide range of environmental catastrophes, such as melting glaciers, rising sea levels, floods, droughts, and forest fires. According to a new study, the combination of high heat and humidity due to climate change could lead to an increase in heat-related deaths and make many regions of the world uninhabitable.

Using interdisciplinary expertise from Purdue University and other research facilities in the United States, the new study explored interactions between real-world problems like climate change and human health.

Combined heat and humidity can be devastating to the human body, as it can only withstand certain combinations of heat and humidity before developing heat-related health problems, such as heat stroke or heart attacks. The specific threshold for any individual at a specific moment also depends on their exertion level and other environmental factors, such as wind speed and solar radiation.

An increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius (°C) or more than current levels could expose billions of people to extreme heat and humidity, preventing their bodies from cooling themselves naturally. In order to identify areas of the globe where global warming would lead to levels of heat and humidity that are beyond human tolerance, the researchers modeled global temperature increases ranging between 1.5°C and 4°C.

Over the course of several years, the team conducted more than 460 experiments to determine how much heat, humidity, and physical exertion humans can tolerate before their bodies no longer maintain a stable core temperature.

As people become warmer, they sweat, and more blood is pumped to their skin so they can lose heat to the environment by maintaining their core temperatures. Body core temperature rises at certain levels of heat and humidity when these adjustments are no longer sufficient.

As long as the body has immediate access to some form of relief, the rise in core temperature is not a threat. Heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and strain on the cardiovascular system can cause heart attacks in people who aren't able to cool down within hours.

According to the study, people can tolerate lower levels of heat and humidity than previously thought. The ambient wet-bulb temperature limit for young, healthy people is 31°C at 100 percent humidity. Researchers found that babies, older adults, and people with cardiopulmonary vulnerabilities were more likely to experience heat stress and its associated health risks at lower temperatures and humidity levels than young people.

In the Middle East and Southeast Asia, temperatures and humidity exceeding human limits have only been recorded a handful of times in human history - and for only a few hours at a time. Since the start of the industrial revolution, when humans began to burn fossil fuels in machines and factories, temperatures around the world have increased by nearly 1℃. In 2015, 196 countries signed the Paris Climate Agreement, aiming to limit global temperature increases to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

According to the study, 2.2 billion people in Pakistan and India's Indus River Valley, one billion people in eastern China, and 800 million people living in sub-Saharan Africa will experience hours of heat that exceeds human tolerance if global temperatures increase by 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

Heatwaves with high humidity would primarily affect these regions. As humidity increases, heatwaves are more dangerous because the air cannot absorb excess moisture, limiting sweat evaporation from human bodies and moisture from some infrastructure, such as evaporative coolers. Worryingly, these regions are also in lower-to-middle income nations, so many of the affected people may not have access to air conditioning or any effective way to mitigate the negative health effects of the heat.

Continuing to warm the planet by 3°C above pre-industrial levels, the researchers concluded, would result in heat and humidity levels that are beyond human tolerance. This would increase health risks and fatalities among billions of people in areas of the United States, in South America, in Australia, and elsewhere.

It is important to remember that while climate models, such as those used in the above study are good at predicting trends, they often do not account for most unusual weather, as well as for specific events like the heatwave in Oregon in 2021 that killed more than 700 people despite the fact that the temperatures were below human tolerance levels.

Around the world, official strategies for adapting to the weather focus only on temperature. The new study, however, shows that humid heat is much more dangerous than dry heat. The government and policymakers need to reevaluate heat-mitigation strategies to invest in programs that will address the greatest dangers.

Unless mitigation measures are introduced to curb the use of fossil fuels, which is the main source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to recent higher temperatures and changing weather patterns, we will soon face a world where food insecurity is rising, and billions of people are migrating out of uninhabitable regions.

Kuwait Airways has acknowledged that the provision of complimentary tickets and additional baggage allowance has been a longstanding practice, viewed as a strategy to bolster the brand’s image. Responding to circulating information on social media, the company issued a clarification, sharing an internal document that outlines the authority granted to the Chairman of the Board of Directors to allocate free tickets and excess baggage to individuals, government entities, and official agencies.

In their statement, the airline clarified that these discretionary powers have been exercised in previous years with the primary objective of reinforcing the brand. To dispel any potential confusion, the current Board of Directors has taken steps to formalize this practice in writing and has established a comprehensive and tightly controlled framework. The second part of the Board’s decision mandates the Kuwait Airways Company’s relevant authorities to provide a quarterly report on the distribution of complimentary tickets and excess baggage for thorough review and audit by regulatory bodies.

The head of the dermatology department at Jahra Hospital and Head of the Kuwait Society of Dermatologists Dr. Muhammad Al-Otaibi says the rates of endogenous eczema among children in Kuwait range between 20 to 25 percent, compared to 10 to 20 percent globally, revealing that it is the most common skin disease in Kuwait. In a special press statement, Dr. Al-Otaibi highlighted the ongoing efforts to prepare a national statistical register on the most common skin diseases in the country, including eczema, psoriasis, and vitiligo. He revealed that the rate of psoriasis in the Arab world has reached up to five percent, compared to four percent globally.

Dr. Al-Otaibi explained that there are several causes of eczema, including genetic predisposition, weather fluctuations, and eating foods that contain milk, eggs, peanuts, fish, etc, in addition to exposure to inhaled substances such as dust, pollen, hair, and droppings of animals and birds, and psychological factors. Increased psychological stress enhances the severity of the symptoms of the disease.

Meanwhile, Dr. Muhammad Al-Otaibi announced the launch of the Kuwait Conference for Dermatology, Laser, and Cosmetic Medicine during the period from December 16 to 18 under the patronage of the Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi. It is being organized by the Kuwait Society of Dermatologists with the participation of experts, consultants, and heads of dermatology associations in the Gulf and Arab countries. He explained that the program of the conference includes more than 90 scientific lectures, 23 workshops, and 13 scientific symposia, in addition to a workshop for doctors of the Kuwait Board of Dermatology. The conference is aimed to discuss several topics regarding the uses of lasers, phototherapy, developments in the treatment of skin diseases (psoriasis, vitiligo, eczema), and the biological medications that have been used in the last ten years to treat these diseases.

According to informed sources, the Ministry of Interior has not yet opened family visas for expatriates, with the exception of some categories such as doctors, as part of the ministry’s plan to reduce the number of violators of the residency law, including those who entered the country under different visa categories and ended up not leaving when these visas expired.

They explained that the Ministry of Interior, based on instructions from the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled, is determined to end the problem of violators of the residency law through extensive security campaigns carried out by the ministry’s sectors. This is because the Residency Affairs Investigation Sector has been arresting thousands of violators of labor law in all governorates since the beginning of this year. These measures have reduced the number of violators in the country. The sources reiterated that security campaigns are ongoing throughout the country in order to arrest violators of the residency and labor laws, adding that all sectors of the Ministry of Interior are working to control marginal workers and violators of law.

Renewing residency in Kuwait has moved to digital platforms, which can be challenging for those without the latest smartphone technology. This guide is specifically designed to help individuals who do not have NFC (Near Field Communication)-enabled mobiles navigate the residency renewal process.

The Challenge with NFC

The standard procedure for renewing residency involves using online platforms like the www.eres.moh website. This process typically requires authentication through a mobile ID app, which in turn demands NFC support. However, not everyone possesses a smartphone with this capability, creating a digital divide.

Solution: Utilizing PACI Kiosk Machines

To accommodate residents without NFC-enabled phones, PACI Kiosk Machines offer a viable alternative. These machines are accessible across Kuwait, and their locations can be found here: PACI Kiosk Locations.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Locate a PACI Kiosk: First, find the nearest PACI Kiosk Machine using the provided link.

2. Insert Your Civil ID: At the kiosk, insert your civil ID. This is the initial step in the authentication process.

3. Facial Recognition: The kiosk will conduct a facial recognition scan, serving the same purpose as the mobile ID app.

4. Select the Appropriate Option: On the screen, select the option relevant to residency renewal.

5.Barcode Generation and Scanning: The kiosk will produce a barcode, which can then be scanned using any smartphone equipped with the mobile ID app, regardless of its NFC capabilities.

This method bypasses the need for an NFC-enabled phone, ensuring that all residents can renew their residency without facing technological hurdles.

This guide is intended to help residents in Kuwait who may be struggling with the NFC requirement in the online residency renewal process. By leveraging the accessibility of PACI Kiosk Machines, the residency renewal process becomes more inclusive, ensuring that technological limitations do not impede essential civic procedures.

A proposed schedule outlining requirements for setting up public radio stations across Kuwait has been finalized by the Municipality's Committee for the Study and Review of Building Regulations. A new article, 39 bis, has been incorporated into the new telecommunications regulations by Committee head Muhammad Al-Mutairi, in a letter to the Municipality's Director General Saud Al-Dabbous. The article introduces penalties, including fines ranging from 9,000 to 10,000 dinars, suspension of the contractor's license, and administrative deportation for non-Kuwaiti violators.

The violations subject to these penalties include unauthorized implementation or supervision of telecommunications stations and towers, exceeding the designated area of 300 square meters, putting vehicles in unauthorized locations, establishing communication infrastructure in prohibited sites, and failing to maintain the required 20-meter distance from residential buildings, schools, kindergartens, and facilities for people with disabilities.

According to Al-Mutairi, for enclosing communication stations and towers with materials other than permeable iron mesh, failing to adhere to specified fence heights, and failing to display warning and indicative signs on relevant buildings and sites, a fine of 100 to 500 dinars is imposed. In addition, the committee stipulated fines ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 dinars for advertising or promotional boards. In the third clause, if the site of telecommunications stations and towers is not fenced, the owner will be fined 4,000 - 5,000 dinars. Whenever possible, a ruling will be made to rectify the violation, with the possibility of adding additional penalties such as license suspension or cancellation. Depending on the severity of the violation, violators may also face criminal or civil penalties. Fines increase with the number of violations.

In a recent development, the Interior Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have approved the unified Gulf tourist visa project, which is expected to commence in 2025. The project aims to facilitate the movement of residents and tourists across the GCC countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The visa will allow travelers to visit multiple countries with a single visa, streamlining the process and potentially boosting the region’s tourism sector.

Following the approval, joint or individual technical committees for each country will begin formulating and scrutinizing the prerequisites and conditions essential for visa application, in compliance with the respective laws and regulations of each nation. The visa applications will be submitted through a unified website/app, subject to scrutiny and approvals from all participating countries before the visa is issued. If objections arise from one or more countries, the visa will be granted conditionally for entry into the approved countries exclusively.

It’s important to note that project approval does not automatically guarantee consent from all countries for the visa holder’s entry. Each country will maintain its sovereignty in determining who is allowed to enter. For example, Kuwait currently maintains barriers to the entry of certain nationalities into the country, which will be among the conditions reviewed by the relevant committees either prior to the project launch or post-implementation.

Additionally, the project encompasses the establishment of specific visa fees. The Residency Affairs Sector in the Ministry of Interior is actively working on a study to amend visa fees of various types, with these amendments anticipated to be incorporated into the forthcoming discussion of the foreigners’ residency law in the National Assembly scheduled for December. This is crucial as visa fees play a significant role in attracting tourists to the region.

The unified Gulf tourist visa is part of the GCC 2030 tourism strategy, designed to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to the GDP and establish the GCC as a leading global tourist destination. The implementation of the unified visa is expected to have a transformative impact on the region’s tourism industry, attracting more tourists and stimulating economic growth in the tourism sector. It will require close collaboration and coordination among the GCC countries to ensure its success.

In conclusion, the unified Gulf tourist visa project is a significant step towards fostering economic integration and promoting tourism in the GCC countries. It represents a shared vision and collective ambition of the member states and is expected to have a positive impact on the economic and tourist sectors of the region.

Under the leadership of Dr. Ahmed Al-Shatti, the Medical Emergency Department at the Ministry of Health responded to 1,072 ambulance calls, an average of 356 a day.

During the rains, there were 94 accidents, with a daily average of 31 accidents, an increase from the pre-rainfall daily average of 21 accidents. Dr. Al-Shatti commended the collaborative efforts of all involved parties, particularly the emergency medical personnel and the hospital accident response team.

The Ministry of Health in Kuwait is close to acquiring a facility in the Hawalli region to establish a new Medical examination center for expatriate workers. The center is expected to commence operations shortly after the completion of installing equipment.

Reliable sources revealed that the Ministry is actively working with relevant authorities to obtain approval for additional new centers. The primary goal is to develop a comprehensive solution to prevent the overcrowding crisis witnessed by these centers in recent years.

Furthermore, the Ministry is currently exploring various regulatory measures for these centers. This includes extension of working hours, implementing a two-shift system, or considering the approval of specific procedures for service seekers with segmentation or categorization. These measures are designed to streamline the service-receiving process and ensure efficiency.

Muhammad Al-Aiban, the Minister of Commerce and Industry and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, issued a directive today urging the inspection and supervisory teams to increase their surveillance efforts. By artificially inflating goods' prices, he emphasized their responsibility to impose the maximum penalties on those who violate the law.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Commerce following Al-Aiban's meeting with the Commercial Control and Consumer Protection Sector, employees are the first line of defense against merchant greed. Taking advantage of salary increases for unjust enrichment is prohibited, he said explicitly. This directive is a proactive measure to regulate and monitor unwarranted increases in commodity prices, coinciding with the recent approval of financial increases for retirees.

During the meeting, Al-Aiban engaged in discussions with the heads of the Commercial Control Emergency Department, the Director of the Technical Apparatus for Commodity Supervision, and the Director of the Consumer Protection Department about developments in the work plan of the Commercial Control Department. The purpose was to assess their preparedness to address potential price increases in the upcoming period. Furthermore, Al-Aiban listened to the insights and recommendations of the inspection teams, aiming to address any challenges they might face and empower them to fulfill their duties effectively. In ensuring fair market practices and safeguarding citizens against economic exploitation, the Ministry takes this proactive approach.