Assembly to Hold Debate on Subsidy Cuts on Feb 9
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SUBSCRIPTION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 RABI ALTHANI 17, 1437 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Govt mulling Pope urges Malaysia clears Djokovic, alternatives to Iran to act PM in scandal, Federer to meet cutting budget for peace in says Saudis in semis, Serena spending2 Middle East8 gave12 ‘donation’ thumps17 Sharapova Assembly to hold debate Min 03º on subsidy cuts on Feb 9 Max 13º High Tide 01:05 & 14:48 Deficit vs reserves discussed • Nod to monopoly, agencies law Low Tide 08:27 & 20:23 40 PAGES NO: 16768 150 FILS By B Izzak KUWAIT: The National Assembly yesterday agreed to hold a special debate on Feb 9 to discuss government plans to lift or reduce subsidies on public services and fuel. The government is expected to brief the Assembly with the recommendation of a study by an international consultant agency proposing raising the prices of petrol, electricity and water as part of a comprehensive reform program. Finance Minister Anas Al-Saleh told reporters the gov- ernment program deals with rationalization of subsidies and economic reforms to stimulate the private sector and national economy as a whole. The minister refused to say if the issue has been settled and the raising of charges is only a matter of time and is awaiting the debate in the Assembly, saying that the issue will be decided along with the Assembly. Saleh said that the difference between Kuwait and other Gulf states, which have taken decisions to raise prices to face the budget deficits, is that the Kuwaiti government has constitutional obligations. HH the Amir last week told editors of local dailies that the government will increase the price of petrol, electrici- ty and water. Saleh also said that the government has cal- culated revenues in next fiscal year’s budget at an oil price of just $25 a barrel, sharply lower than the $45 price adopted in the current fiscal year 2015/2016 which ends on March 31. During an earlier closed door session in parliament, the Assembly also discussed the performance of the KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- KUWAIT: Security forces hold a military exercise on Failaka Island yesterday, dubbed “Decisive Kuwait Investment Authority and the conditions of finan- Jaber Al-Sabah welcomes Tunisian President Beji Caid Deterrence 5”, part of interior ministry’s efforts to enhance the performance and preparedness of securi- cial reserves. Essebsi at the airport yesterday. — KUNA (See Page 3) ty forces. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat (See Page 4) Continued on Page 13 Gov calls for new bus stops with AC, wi-fi By Meshaal Al-Enezi gested that the new bus stops should provide wi-fi access and be air-conditioned so that passengers KUWAIT: Hawally Governor Sheikh Ahmad Al- could enjoy their waiting time and be protected Nawaf has made a proposal to Minister of State for from weather conditions including extreme heat in Municipal Affairs and Communications Essa Al- summer and cold and rain in winter. The governor Kandari, to build special bus stops jointly with also suggested using modern international KPTC that suit Kuwait’s climate in all the gover- designs to replace the current open-air and out- norate’s areas. In his proposal, Sheikh Ahmad sug- dated bus stops. OPEC won’t cut output alone KPC to invest $100bn over 5 years KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti and Iraqi oil ministers said yes- drive less competitive players, including US shale pro- terday that OPEC will not cut production unless pro- ducers, out of the market. Oil prices rose above $30 a ducers outside the cartel do the same, despite the barrel yesterday after a brief dip as the market was plunge in crude prices. “OPEC cannot cut its produc- beset with worries about the global supply glut. tion unless there is a similar reduction by producers Abdulmahdi and Saleh said they were willing to outside OPEC,” Kuwait’s acting oil minister Anas Al- back an emergency meeting of OPEC, but only if an Saleh, told reporters on the sidelines of an oil confer- agenda were agreed in advance. “It is useless to go to a ence. “I don’t see any logic in OPEC cutting production meeting without deciding up front. We said yes if oth- while non-OPEC (countries) don’t cut,” Saleh said. ers are willing to go but we have to decide before, oth- Iraqi Oil Minister Adel Abdulmahdi said Baghdad erwise this will backfire on us. We have to go forward - was “ready to cooperate” on cutting production to I think the market needs that but we also look at our raise oil prices, but only if non-OPEC producers did so partners outside OPEC to do the same,” Mahdi said. as well. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting The Iraqi minister told the Energy Strategy Forum that Countries has refused to cut production despite a drop at the current crude price, the majority of producers in oil prices to 13-year lows. Led by Gulf producers, the are selling oil at lower than the cost price. cartel is refusing to reduce crude output as it seeks to Continued on Page 13 KUWAIT: Iraqi Oil Minister Adel Abdulmahdi (center), Kuwaiti Finance Minister and acting oil minister Anas Al-Saleh (left) and deputy chairman and CEO of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Nizar Al-Adasani are seen at the Energy Strategy Forum yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat LOCAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 KUWAIT: Cabinet Affairs Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah (center), Commerce Minister Yousuf Al- (From left) Commerce Minister Yousuf Al-Ali, Cabinet Affairs Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, Ali (fourth from left), and other officials attend the 2nd Global Forum on Emergency Telecommunications (GET- Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union Houlin Zhao and Communication and Information 2016).— Photos by Joseph Shagra Technology Regulatory Authority Chairman Salim Al-Othaina open an exhibition held on the sidelines of the forum. Government mulling alternatives for cutting budget spending: Minister ‘GET-2016 seeks to give ICT crucial role in disasters’ KUWAIT: The government is currently ing to raise prices of electricity or water, the address a “sustainable smart development will be on February 2, marking a new stage in from the International Telecommunication immersed in studying alternative economic government would first consult with the law- model” and the relevant role of partnerships this field in Kuwait. Union (ITU) after taking part in the recent 13th approaches to dealing with reining in national makers on that and that the best way to deal and financing, in addition to latest develop- In his address at the forum, Othaina added World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators budgetary expenditure, Minister of State for with belt-tightening measures would be one ments in the ICT field, he added. that Kuwait has recently issued a decision Symposium (WTIS) that took place in Cabinet Affairs and Acting Minister of in which both executive and legislative branch- Qattan stressed the necessity of reactivating establishing CITRA’s keenness on promoting Hiroshima, Japan. Electricity and Water Sheikh Mohammad es saw eye-to-eye. contacts and joint action among local, regional the information and communications technol- The three-day GET-2016 organized by the Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah said yesterday. On the forum, he said it was being held to and international, as well as non-government ogy (ICT) sector. Othaina noted that the event Telecommunication Development Bureau The government is looking at re-pricing determine the proper use of technology, organizations, on disasters and emergencies, acquires special significance as it is the first to (BDT) of the International Telecommunication such commodities as electricity, water, and including information technology, to deal with especially intensifying efforts to enhance be held after the New Sustainable Union (ITU) and hosted by the Government of gasoline in such a way that it would curb their natural disasters and national emergencies of awareness on the role of ICT for bolstering Development Agenda adopted by 193 UN Kuwait, sponsored by His Highness the Prime flagrant misuse by some, he said in a statement any kind. The ‘2nd Global Forum on Emergency social security, and pre-emptive plans to face Members last September. According to the CIT- Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad to reporters, on the sideline of a the 2nd inter- Telecommunications (GET-2016): Saving Lives’ disasters. RA chief, GET goals cannot be achieved with- Al-Sabah. It serves as an international platform national forum on dealing with life-endanger- started yesterday with the participation of 193 In 1998, Kuwait signed the Tampere out joint efforts of the world countries and to discuss international Emergency ing emergencies and how to deal with them countries, ending on January 28, 2016. Convention out of a belief on the necessity of specialized organizations, especially humani- Telecommunication policy and disaster risk promptly. promoting ICT, Al-Qattan said, referring to a tarian and relief ones. He referred in this reduction topics. It will feature discussions on He said the government was very serious Tangible policies host of projects being carried out here such as respect to Kuwait’s eagerness for embracing pertinent topics such as disaster prepared- about balancing the budget in view of loom- The event discusses drawing up tangible poli- the Optical fiber being carried out. humanitarian activities, and providing assis- ness, the Smart Sustainable Development ing economic realities all over the world, not- cies and practical arrangements to give the sec- tance to the needy around the globe. Model initiative, the role of partnerships and ing that the government has already taken tor a pivotal role in all phases of a disaster; early CITRA’s start Othaina pointed to the UN honoring of His financing, alongside country case studies and steps to trim down the economic perks that warning, preparedness and relief, response and Meanwhile, Chairman and CEO of the Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- new developments in technology and innova- ministers and top administrators in the govern- finally rehabilitation, Undersecretary of the Communication and Information Technology Jaber Al-Sabah as a ‘Humanitarian Leader’ and tion.