‘Time to realise dreams’

‘Turn Kuwait into financial hub’

“THE diplomatic relations between the State of Kuwait and the People’s Republic of China began in 1971 when His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah was the foreign minister of Kuwait. In fact, Kuwait was the first Gulf state to establish diplomatic relations with Beijing,” columnist and Professor Dr Faisal Al-Sharifi wrote for Aljarida daily.

“Kuwait had harvested the fruits of such a development at the United Nations Security Council when China voted in favor of all of the resolutions taken by the Security Council for the liberation of Kuwait from the Iraqi occupation.

“Today, this relation is likely to become stronger in view of its political and economic dimensions that are based on mutual trust and joint interests between the two countries. This relationship has politically and economically developed to a large extent by the virtue of His Highness the Amir’s experience and his tendency to boost the framework of cooperation and partnership between the two countries in order to take it to new horizons. We know that both the political and economic weights could be deemed as the most significant points of strength that Kuwait is always striving to invest and boost through a bundle of agreements that were signed recently between Kuwait and China.

“These agreements are actually keeping abreast with the vision of His Highness the Amir for transforming the State of Kuwait into a financial and economic hub through development of the infrastructure of the Kuwaiti islands, Al-Harir City, Kuwait International Airport and Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port, and by being in line with Al-Harir Road “One Belt One Road” Project that is aimed at linking the East with the West.

“In fact, China realizes the value of her cooperation with Kuwait, and the significance of achieving the economic dossier between the two countries. Such a dossier constitutes a historical diversion for the world trade, and an effective factor for developing the regional countries in view of its promising future.

“The prospective revenues from the relevant agreements will exceed $50 billion per annum or may be more in case security in the region becomes stable.

“Kuwait is nominated to play a significant political and economic role in the region because it follows a diplomatic policy in dealing with all the countries in the region and in the world at large, which is based on the policy of rationalism and wisdom. Kuwait has always kept in mind the interest of the people due to which “One Belt One Road” project will be one of the most promising projects, God willing.

“The readiness for this type of a project actually requires an obvious vision and applicable projects. If we concede that the capitals required for the completion of the relevant projects are made available, then serious work must also be practiced in a bid to properly recruit the pertinent human resources and educated people who can achieve the targeted objectives of the projects. These projects eventually will help create job opportunities which will in turn contribute to pushing forward the wheel of development.

“Along with China’s military and political might, this country in the recent years also emerged as a great economic power. Its portion in the American market, for instance, amounted to $450 billion, and its portion in the Arab markets amounted to $191 billion.

“Despite the above, it is China that realizes the importance of opening new markets in the Middle East region. Hence, it selected the State of Kuwait in view of the country’s distinguished geographic location and its political stability in order to get its place established in the Middle East, transforming Kuwait into a gate for commercial exchange in the region.

“Considering the above, I hope such a dream will be realized. I also hope the leaderships that are likely to undertake such a project will realize their historical responsibility in terms of working seriously for achieving the objectives and purposes of the projects of which His Highness the Amir had set the foundations and is striving to get implemented in order to transform Kuwait into a financial and economic hub in the region through “One Belt One Project”. Hence, one suggests that anyone who may feel he/she is incapable of keeping abreast with the relevant vision should hasten towards leaving the relevant arena calmly.

“I would like to advise the Cabinet to utilize the summer season and hasten towards preparing the necessary plans and commissioning programs that should be in line with the agreements and the memorandums of understanding concluded between Kuwait and China.”

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Al-Sharifi

“The historical visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to China has actually led to the drawing of a roadmap towards the glory, development and progress of Kuwait, the Gulf region and the Arab World in general”, columnist Dr Barrak Al-Noun wrote for Al-Shahed daily.

“This visit opened all doors towards a promising future. It has also groomed the necessary atmosphere required for founding a strategic partnership with the Chinese giant. This affirms that the future will be full of achievements for all the parties, and the development of our country will witness a new fruitful launch for the benefit of all the people in the country.

“As a matter of fact, the visit resulted in the signing of many agreements for implementing huge projects in Kuwait through the strategic partnership between the two countries. The Al-Harir City Project and the preparation and development of Kuwaiti lands will top these projects.

“Apart from the above, the historical visit prepared the necessary atmosphere for ensuring a promising partnership between the Arab countries and China through “One Belt One Road Project” in view of the latter’s strategic objectives. This project shall provide unlimited opportunities for cooperation between the two parties, facilitate the transportation movement, double the investment opportunities and boost the international economy.

“This is actually happening because of the political experience of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait and his farsighted economic vision based on his keenness to get the country back in the path of economic development and discover new sources of national income for Kuwait instead of depending only on a sole source of revenues - petrodollars.

“The political experience of His Highness the Amir and his accurate and sound reading of the present and the future as well as his keenness to guarantee a prosperous and secure future for the State of Kuwait and the Arab World in general had resulted in him gaining the confidence of both the leaders and the people throughout the world.”

“The Kuwaiti nation lately has been busy with arguments concerning the case related to storming of the National Assembly building between supporters of the recent verdict by the Court of Cassation and its opposers,” Waleed Al-Rujaib wrote for Al-Rai daily.

“There is no doubt that this issue has its political aspects which emerged many years ago and resulted in a political crisis that still reflects on the Kuwaiti atmosphere.

“The court has already issued its verdict on the case, and nobody can object to it. However, all parties are asked to investigate the reasons behind the actions in terms of issuance of laws that limit freedoms and contradict the articles of the Kuwaiti Constitution.

“The political movement in 2011 was backed by public anger over the spread of corruption especially the deposits of millions of dinars in the bank accounts of some MPs and money transfers. Exploitation of state wealth for financing electoral agendas such as buying votes was the main trigger for the youths to take the action. As usual, the authority’s attitude in dealing with corruption is limited to postponement and neglect. On the other hand, the authority’s reaction towards the youth was very tough. It did not exert efforts to differentiate between those who are sincerely worried about their country and those who took advantage of the public anger.

“When we read through our daily newspapers, we will find many stories concerning the spread of corruption. This aggravates the political dispute by creating an environment that encourages hatred, sectarianism and tribalism. The absence of clear criteria for appointing senior officials, and the current electoral system contribute to the formation of the hate-filled environment.

“Some political blocs follow certain unorganized currents and Islamic blocs, considering them as national parties that are capable of carrying the national slogan and guiding the peaceful public movement. However, these blocs lost their allies as well as their credibility with the public.

“Formation of a concrete internal front is essential for ensuring progress and development especially with the current unstable regional conditions. There is also an urgent need for the issuance of a law that will organize the formation of political blocs and parties on national bases as well as reviewing and amending the electoral law.”

“The story of the Arab Spring began with the young Tunisian Mohammad Al-Bouazizi who set himself ablaze on the morning of Friday, Dec 17, 2010. He was appalled by a slap he received from police officer Fadia Hamdi in the midst of a large crowd just because he resisted the confiscation of his only source of livelihood,” Abdul-Redha Qamber wrote for Al-Shahed daily.

“Al-Bouazizi’s response to the damage of his dignity was to end his life because of the pervasive mismanagement and corruption of power in the state and all its fabrics, coupled with chronic lack of freedom. The educated young man who happened to be a vegetable seller brought his kit and took steps from the premises of the governorate to face the door of the building before setting himself ablaze to sacrifice his life after soaking himself with petrol.

“The man died amid confusion throughout the Tunisian society and the news spread like wild fire following transmission by international news agencies and television stations. There came the role of modern means of communication, including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube that activated the matter and contributed to its spread. Everything before this date seemed calm and ordinary but the fire was churning under the ashes, as it was driven by a strong wind such that all illusions surrounding it were consumed alongside cruelty of tyrants and false prosperity.

“Before these events, the police and secret intelligence were on the lookout for anyone who spoke against the president or his entourage or opposed the regime. Repression, lack of freedoms, in addition to financial and administrative corruption was also widespread.

“In the science of revolution, it was a radical moment par excellence, such that if it delayed further the momentum could have been lost and the historic opportunity missed, while any rush could have caused the moment to wither and lost. There was ingenuity embodied in historical consistency and the revolutionary moment in the affected countries has remained intractable, even if there is similarity in the political situation and social conditions, oppression, deprivation and lack of freedom. However, the revolutionary moment will not be repeated or reproduced until its dates are met.

“It was a revolution with distinction. A youth leadership initially called the Green Spring became the Arab Spring until it phased out authoritarian autocratic rule on Jan 4, 2011 yielded through the insistence of young people to walk the path of non-return from ... Freedom!

“Those young people wanted to manufacture a green Arab spring, and became leaders of the revolution whose sleeves and fuel were armed with new knowledge and science by the tremendous revolution in information technology, media and communications. The surprise this time came from Tunisia, the most prosperous, educated, and civil country in the Arab world, which in itself is a new phenomenon in the science of revolutions.”

“The warning issued by the Ministry of Interior concerning fake drivers’ licenses made in Turkey and smuggled into Kuwait for $800 per document gives the impression that fake licenses are not issued inside Kuwait,” Talal Al-Sa’eed wrote for Al-Seyassah daily.

“Some employees were earlier caught producing fake licenses and documents not found on file were regarded as fake, in addition to those issued with incorrect data. These are the ones we know and I believe the bigger discovery is yet to be made, because we live in a different world full of corruption. What then prevents the cancellation of all licenses — genuine or fake, and reissuing new ones to deserved applicants only?

“It is clear that Ministry of Interior’s sword only touches the necks of Kuwaitis who do fingerprint and stand in queues under the scorching sun, and the long wait in the month of Ramadan while at the mercy of rude employees or official who does not turn up in his office. Nobody hears their voices because they want to change passports!”

“A common question has been looming around students and others who wish to complete their academic path to gain knowledge and achieve highest level of education. The question is: why is the government against our desire to complete our academic path to the highest level?” columnist Abdul-Rahman Al-Awad wrote for Al-Sabah daily.

“Three years ago, Ministry of Education and Higher Education issued a decision barring holders of secondary school certificates to continue their studies if they have stayed more than two years continuously out of school. The decision was followed by another one which barred them from pursuing law courses, in addition to other disabling decisions the government has taken in this regard.

“It is irrational for policies to be of this manner. Nations are built or developed through education, and whenever the nation has citizens who are well educated and cultivated, it contributes to initiate a major transitional leap in the country in terms of the level of development and progress.

“Let people study for progress, and encourage those who desire to pursue further studies to go for it. It is good for the country and the people of this world.”

— Compiled by Zaki Taleb