Trump, Amir Hold Talks
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Hurricane Saudi filmmakers Del Potro knocks flattens the build audiences Federer out Caribbean10 without22 cinemas of US48 Open Min 29º Max 46º FREE www.kuwaittimes.net NO: 17325- Friday, September 8, 2017 Trump,Trump, AmirAmir holdhold talkstalks See Page 2 Local FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 US, Kuwait leaders hold talks US-Kuwait Economic forum beneficial for both countries WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump held a lunch banquet yesterday in honor of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his official delegation. Earlier, His Highness the Amir held talks with the US President at the Oval Office in the White House. The Kuwaiti-US talks tackled issues of com- mon interest and the latest developments on the regional and international spectrums, particularly the Gulf and the Middle East. — KUNA photos WASHINGTON: His Highness the Amir Sheikh need for the countries involved in the Gulf feud to Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, accompanied discard their differences, unite and support inter- by National Guard Deputy Chief Sheikh Mishal Al- national efforts to combat terrorism. Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, met US President His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Donald Trump at the White House yesterday. Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday reiterated Their talks at the Oval Office dealt with the long- Kuwait’s solid and distinctive relationship with standing historical relations between the two the United States. He recalled Washington’s countries and the two friendly peoples, and honorable stand and memorable role in liberat- means to develop ties and strengthen coopera- ing Kuwait from Iraq’s 1990 invasion of the tion in all fields. They also discussed issues of com- country. His Highness also expressed hope for mon interest and the latest developments on the positive outcomes from his bilateral talks US regional and international spectrums, particularly President Donald Trump. the Gulf and the Middle East. Both senior officials Meanwhile, a number of Kuwaiti business exchanged views on these topics and stressed the personnel and top officials yesterday affirmed His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is received at his resi- dence in Washington DC by a delegation of Kuwaiti business personnel. the importance of the US-Kuwait Economic are well aware of the vitality of the forum, said Forum, stressing that the event will be highly Sheikh Meshal who indicated that Kuwait was beneficial for both countries. eager to diversify its income through mutual The forum, held at the US Chamber of investments with American companies and Commerce, resulted in the signing of several business personnel. Top officials at Zain Group, agreements between the Kuwaiti and American Kuwait Industrial Union (KIU), and the sides. Speaking to KUNA, Deputy Prime Minister Commercial Real Estate company-Bader Al- and Minister of Finance Anas Al-Saleh said that Kharafi, Hussein Al-Kharafi, and Abdulfattah both sides were eager to further develop ties on Marafi respectively-stressed the importance of numerous levels and especially within the eco- attracting foreign investments to Kuwait, saying nomic, financial, and commercial domains. that it will immensely contribute to the coun- He stressed that the forum saw a huge try’s future development plans. turnout, which is reflective of the strong rela- His Highness the Amir’s visit to the US tions linking the two countries. The event also displayed both nations eagerness to pursue came in line with the Kuwaiti leadership’s efforts more venues of cooperation, affirmed the to transform Kuwait into a regional and interna- officials. They added that Kuwait’s 2035 tional business and financial center, said Al- vision launched by His Highness the Amir Saleh. On his part, Director General of Kuwait provided a perfect opportunity for foreign Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) investors, namely from the US, to seek busi- Sheikh Dr Meshal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said ness ventures in Kuwait which will benefit that the forum focused on the roles of invest- both nations’ economies. Kuwaiti business ments and economy in developing US-Kuwaiti personnel also felt welcomed by their US relations within the private sector domain. peers to invest in America, the officials Business personnel who flocked to the event affirmed. — Agencies FRIDAY 08 SEPTEMBER 2017 Local Coffee shops and the ‘cafe-rati’ in Kuwait Story and photographs by Athoob Al-Shuaibi small coffee shop in the heart of downtown Kuwait City has a wall-mounted sign saying ‘Free Wi-Fi’. A few steps away, another cafe has a blackboard sign in front of its door read- Aing ‘No Internet, talk to each other’. At the end of the street, another cafe has a large seating area for people who have no interest in communicating with anyone, and want com- plete isolation. Each table here has only one chair, and is separated by a divider. Kuwait has witness an explosion of local coffee shops opening. were eager to assist. The following day, they arrived with lots of From cozy tea house decor to industrial lighting, you can find pictures, notes and suggestions. They said the sole reason they pretty much any type of cafe to suit your personal taste and style. go to cafes is to take selfies, so every corner should be different in Young Kuwaitis in droves now hang out at these hip hotspots, design from the other,” he said. Akbar used the targeted client with new ones opening up each month. group to design the perfect environment for them. Most offer some hipster-esque menu options - artisanal cold brew or French press, designer cookies, hand drawn cakes. And each appeals to a segment of the caferati through decor and location. Ali Akbar, an engineer and a businessman, wanted to try his luck in the coffee business. He wanted to open a coffee shop for readers, because he personally loves to read and has a rich library at home. After finding the right place, his engineering colleague wanted to gift him an interior design scheme in collaboration with one of the best designers. “I treasure that gift very much. Cafe owners usually spend thousands to get the perfect interior design. But another friend turned my thinking upside down after alerting me that people no longer read as much as before. He asked me that when did I take a book with me to a cafe? He said most people nowadays prefer reading from their mobile phones or tablets,” Akbar recalled. After scrapping the reading cafe idea, he decided to design the place himself. “Before I hammered a nail in the walls, I showed my plan to three teenage cousins. They were bold enough to tell me that my taste was very old-fashioned and outdated! The girls FRIDAY 08 SEPTEMBER 2017 Local One college student encouraged me to visit a coffee shop In the same fashion, literary cafes are available for those called Mood. I asked him what made him go there. He replied, who want to organize cultural forums and workshops. More “Their great atmosphere and the beautiful decor.” Then he significant, but not widespread, are music cafes. Music is their remembered at the end to mention that they have good coffee mainstay for drawing customers. And through a personal expe- too. Coffee was his least concern, an afterthought. rience, I can aver that they have succeeded in creating a social Not all coffee shops are designed to hang around - like coffee environment that encourages strangers to exchange conversa- bars, where the main concept is to finish your drink quickly and tions as human beings. This is rare at a time when eyes are leave to give room to other customers. Additionally, a new type pinched to phone screens. of coffee shop is emerging in Kuwait - pop-up coffee booths. They The majority of patrons at these urban coffee shops are change their locations every once in a while in harmony with the Kuwaitis. Conversely, music coffee shops were able to breach this spirit of youths who seek new discoveries. barrier between expats and Kuwaitis. A period in the mid-2000s brought the idea of coffee shops Riding the global wave of the flourishing cafe culture in that mimicked the heritage of Kuwait, evoking nostalgia. Soon, Kuwait may negatively impact the popularity of the diwaniya, their popularity ebbed, faced with the urban style typhoon. The which has been dominating the society for more than 200 years social culture of cafes has become the sum of dating scenes, hap- as the nucleus of social communication, cohesion and solidarity py moments between friends and graceful coincidences of between its spectrums. Who knows, perhaps one day the Western movies and sitcoms that represent life in urban centers diwaniya could become something of the past! like London, Paris or New York. There are social cafes where you can spend long hours to chat. Also, art cafes are on the rise to support local artists who can’t afford to display their worksat dis- tinguished platforms. Local FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Local Spotlight IN MY VIEW The maid dilemma Kuwait’s landmarks of childhood disappear By Muna Al-Fuzai By Nawara Fattahova [email protected] [email protected] t’s a sad feeling not being able to go to places we Mall. The other smaller one was in Ahmadi. Many other e have now reached critical mass. Kuwait used to enjoy visiting when we were kids. Change is cinemas disappeared too, including Salmiya Cinema has more than 650,000 domestic servants Ia part of life, but when the change removes most or next to the post office and Abdulhussein Abdulredha Wand will likely see that figure grow to a all of your favorite entertainment places and stores, it Theatre, Al-Hamra Cinema that used to be in the place million by end of next year.