ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 1-2, 2021 LOCAL/MIDEAST 6 Nazaha report calls for application of all rules to ensure transparency

Specialized center for risk management eyed

By Fares Al-Abdan ment procedures, and called for the establishment of an Al-Seyassah Staff independent and specialized center for risk management. The report issued by the Public Authority for Combating Corruption ‘Naza- KUNA photo KUWAIT CITY, Dec 31: The report of the “Government ha’, in cooperation with the Kuwaiti Transparency Society, indicated the need to Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah deliv- Performance Follow-up Team during the Corona Crisis” strengthen the principle of partnership and activate the role of civil society, and ers letter to Bahrain’s King. to seriously review the pending problems, especially the demographics, and to recommended the application of all rules in the public sec- give confi dence to the national component that has proved its effi ciency during tor to ensure the transparency and credibility of govern- the crisis. Envoy of HH the Amir delivers Nazaha issued the report at a press conference held at its headquarters, in the presence of the Nazaha Deputy written letter to Bahrain King Secretary-General for Prevention, Engr Abrar Al-Hammad, Chairman KUWAIT CITY, Dec 31, (KUNA): The letter highlighted strong of the Kuwaiti Transparency Society The envoy of His Highness the bilateral relations, ways of Majed Al-Mutairi, and the Head of the Amir, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad strengthening them in various Government Performance Follow-up Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Foreign Minister fields, as well as the latest devel- Team during the Corona Crisis, Vice- President of the Kuwaiti Transparency Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser opments on the regional and inter- Society Dr. Fahd Al-Raqeeb. Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, delivered national arenas. For her part, Engr Abrar Al-Ham- on Wednesday, a written letter from The envoy, delivered the written mad affi rmed Nazaha’s cooperation His Highness the Amir to King letter to Bahrain’s Crown Prince with civil society organizations comes Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of and Prime Minister Prince Salman from “our belief in the importance of Bahrain. bin Hamad Al-Khalifa. the role that civil society plays in pro- moting integrity and combating cor- ruption, which was translated into the Photo by Bassam Abu Shanab initiatives of the National Anti-Cor- Press conference in progress held at Nazaha’s headquarters, in the presence of the Nazaha Deputy Secretary- ruption Strategy 2019-2024, especially Ahli United Bank offers services General for Prevention, Engr Abrar Al-Hammad, Chairman of the Kuwaiti Transparency Society Majed Al-Mutairi, with regard to strengthening” what she and the Head of the Government Performance Follow-up Team during the coronavirus crisis, Vice-President of the called “the complementarities between to its customers during holiday Kuwaiti Transparency Society Dr Fahd Al-Raqeeb. the efforts of the public sector and civil society in this area.” KUWAIT CITY, Dec 31: On on Monday 4 January 2021. the occasion of the New Year, AUB has reconfi rmed that dur- Objectives Ahli United ing this peri- Al-Hammad said, one of the main Bank (AUB) od customers objectives of forming the team and congratulates will be able issuing the report is to enhance the and extends its to conduct importance of the concept of integrity warm wishes to their bank- and transparency in all governmental His Highness the ing services procedures, whether administrative or Amir of Kuwait through the health, and to ensure that they conform Sheikh Nawaf Bank’s elec- to the requirements, recommendations Al-Ahmad Al- tronic chan- and international practices, in addition Jaber Al-Sabah, nels, includ- to strengthening the societal oversight role and empowering civil society His Highness the ing mobile organizations and overcoming obsta- Crown Prince and internet cles, if any, for the sake of effectively Sheikh Meshal banking playing its role, promoting and exer- Al-Ahmad Al- (www.ah- cising the right to access to informa- Jaber Al-Sabah, liunited. tion, which most of the authorities re- the government, the citizens of com.kw), and through the 24/7 sponded with very positively, and this Kuwait and all residents across telebanking ‘Hayakom’ service enabled the team to perform its tasks the country. through 1812000. Furthermore, to the fullest. During the occasion of the customers can also conduct their She explained that the experience New Year, all AUB branches fi nancial transactions through the of forming a team from a civil society will be closed on Sunday 3 Janu- Bank’s ATMs which are conveni- and a government agency to follow up ary 2021 and will resume work ently located across Kuwait. and evaluate government performance is the fi rst of its kind, and what resulted from the team’s work in terms of mon- itoring and evaluation, whether for defi ciency sites or areas of creativity News in Brief and excellence included in the report, would serve the reform process by developing public services on the one hand and developing the risk and crisis management system on the other hand. ISTANBUL: A four-day lockdown JERUSALEM: Israel’s foreign She drew attention to the impor- is set to begin in Turkey at 9 p.m. minister said Wednesday he is tance of the principle of transparency Thursday - New Year’s Eve - in leaving the Blue and White party in general and amid the Corona pan- a bid to stem the spread of COV- and taking a “break” from poli- demic and emergency crises in particu- ID-19, and measures against tics, marking the further disinte- lar; its positive impact on controlling New Year’s gatherings are to be gration of the centrist party that the crisis, containing its repercussions enforced. came close to unseating Prime and creating confi dence in government Turkey’s president has Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in performance, in addition to the impor- warned parties will not be al- three hard-fought elections. tance of practicing integrity, in behav- lowed and law enforcement w Gabi Ashkenazi, a former ior and thought, and adopting govern- illmonitor for any violations. military chief of staff, is join- ance in light of global crises under the The interior ministry said gath- ing an exodus from Blue and banner of integrity. ering would be banned “not as White ahead of March elections Photos during the Kala (Art) Kuwait ‘NIRAM 2020’ prize distribution She expressed her gratitude to every a preference but as a necessity” in which the party is expected to government agency that showed its for public health. lose most of the 17 seats it cur- Indian ambassador presents prizes to winners cooperation in this experience and to Istanbul’s governor said rently holds in the 120-member all front lines workers and volunteers Thursday some 34,000 law en- Knesset, or parliament. during the pandemic. forcement personnel would be on “I have decided not to continue For his part, the head of the team, duty to enforce the rules in Tur- in Blue and White. I am taking a ‘NIRAM 2020’ concludes with prize distribution Dr. Fahd Al-Raqeeb, said this work key’s most populous city. The in- break and will consider my path,” has many positive aspects, and as it terior ministry announced more Ashkenazi said in a statement. KUWAIT CITY, Dec 31: Kala is known in the corruption theory that than 208,000 offi cers would be Defense Minister Benny (Art) Kuwait “NIRAM 2020” one of the ribs of corruption is during working across the country and Gantz, another former top gen- Children’s Day painting competi- crises time, natural disasters and the have set up thousands of control eral and the leader of Blue and tion associated with “American spread of epidemics, it breeds environ- points. White, said he respected Ash- Tourister” has concluded with the ment for greedy souls. Tourists, who have so far been kenazi’s decision. He said that prize distribution to all winners at exempt from lockdowns, will as foreign minister Ashkenazi Indian Embassy on Tuesday, 29th also not be allowed to go to sym- had played a key role in halting December 2020 at 4 pm. H. E. Mr. Courses completed bolic squares and avenues. Israel’s plans to annex parts of Sibi George, The Ambassador of Turkey has among the worst the West Bank and in normali- India to Kuwait, has presented me- ABK stresses importance infection rates in the world but zation agreements reached in mentos, medals, certificates and offi cial statistics show the seven- recent months with a number of gifts to all winners. of ‘Customer Protection’ day average of daily infections Arab states. has dropped to around 16,000 Gantz formed an emergency The Painting competition Niram – KUWAIT CITY, Dec 31: Al Ahli from above 30,000 since evening 2020 was conducted at Online Plat- Bank of Kuwait (ABK) has re- government with Netanyahu in curfews and weekend lockdowns May after three inconclusive form on 13th November 2020 on the cently announced the completion of were instituted in early Decem- occasion of the birthday of late Pan- its training courses to increase the elections in less than a year. The ber. government was supposed to dit Jawaharlal Nehru, the fi rst Prime awareness of the Bank’s ‘Customer The total death toll to date is Minister of Independent India. It is Protection Manual’. The courses in- set politics aside to confront the 20,642, according to health min- coronavirus crisis but has been worthwhile to note that students of cluded the concept of transparency istry statistics. (AP) and disclosure of the fi nancial and paralyzed by infi ghting. different nationalities from all 24 ❑ ❑ ❑ The Knesset dissolved last Indian Schools in Kuwait with ac- Krishnan, Artist M. V. John, Artist Bhavans, Mangaf, banking transactions carried out by the bank for various customers of all DAMASCUS: An attack on a pas- week after the government tive participation of more than 2800 Sunil Kulanada and Artist Rajeesh Group-B: 1st Prize-Abel Alex, failed to pass a national budget children in the competition. The sectors, pursuant to the instructions senger bus in southern Syria on P. Sudhinawere honored by H. E. 4th Std., Indian Community Wednesday killed 28 civilians for 2020. Israel now heads to competition was held in four groups by giving mementos in recognition School, Amman, 2nd Prize - Ad- issued by the Central Bank of Kuwait in this regard. and injured others, according to its fourth national election since in drawing, painting and clay sculp- of their laudable contributions in the weeta Aravindan, 4th Std., IES- the Syrian state news agency. April 2019, while facing a runa- ture. Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, 3rd The “Customer Protection Man- fi eld of Arts. ual” includes an important set of The state news agency SANA way coronavirus outbreak, a H. E. presented mementos to the The event were coordinated and Prize- Akain Minsuka Kuruppuge, guidelines and controls that cre- didn’t say how the attack was devastating economic crisis and school representatives who won the controlled by Kala (Art) Kuwait. 4th Std., Fahaheel Al-Watanieh ate an environment suitable for the carried out, but called it a terror- a prime minister on trial for cor- Overall Champion Ship 1st Position President Mukesh V. P., General Indian Private School, Ahmadi & preservation of the customers’ rights ist attack on the bus traveling in ruption. to IES - Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, Secretary Siva Kumar, Program Sadhana Senthilnathan, 4th Std., within the framework of a balanced the Kobajjep area in southeastern Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai Abbasiya received by T. H. Prem- General Convener Jaison Joseph, Fahaheel Al-Watanieh Indian Pri- relationship that maintains protec- Deir el-Zour province. announced Tuesday he was form- kumar, Principal, 2nd Position – Fa- Treasurer Hassan Koya, Vice- vate School, Ahmadi. tion for the banking sector. ABK has The bus was traveling between ing a new faction that already ap- haheel Al-Watanieh Indian Private President Ambili Ragesh, Ex- Group-C: Ist Prize-Nivetha Giju, further developed and updated new the central Homs province and pears on track to eclipse Blue and School, Ahmadi received by A. S. ecutive Members Sunil Kumar, 8th Std., Gulf Indian School, Fa- policies, procedures, internal controls Deir el-Zour to the east. The re- White. Nageswara Rao, HOD, 3rd Position- Ragesh Parambath and Ashraf Vi- haheel. 2nd Prize- Mridula Pal- and principles that comply with the port offered no further details. He was flanked by Avi Nis- Learners Own Academy, Abbassiya lissery Ravindran, 8th Std, IES- requirements of the Manual, and em- The area was once controlled senkorn, a former labor union thura. by Islamic State militants, who leader who served as Israel’s received by Sasi Krishnan, HOD Kala (Art) Kuwait takes this op- Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan & Aldin ployees have been fully trained. and C. Bhaskaran Memorial Trophy Binoy, 8th Std, Learners Own Acad- The lectures, courses and workshops despite losing territorial control justice minister, who bolted portunity to extend their heartfelt in Syria, are still active in the de- from Blue and White earlier to United Indian School, Abbassiya and sincere gratitude to H. E. as emy, 3rd Prize- Sidharth K. Vinod, organized by the bank create the proper cultural and professional environment sert and rural areas of eastern and that day. Blue and White law- received by T. Raveendran, the well as Embassy Offi cials. Also 7th Std., Learners Own Academy. southern Syria. makers Assaf Zamir and Miki school from which maximum num- Kala (Art) Kuwait thanked all the Group-D: 1st Prize- Reeda to enhance the protection of the cus- tomers’ rights, which is in compliance The Britain-based Syrian Ob- Haimovich jumped ship earlier bers of students were participated participants, School Managements, Shimaz Huda, 11th Std., Fahaheel servatory for Human Rights, a this week. in this event, as a tribute to Late. C Al-Watanieh Indian Private School. with the instructions and controls is- Parents, Art Teachers, Sponsors, All sued by Central Bank of Kuwait and is war monitor, said attackers am- The crowded race also in- Bhaskaran, one of the founder and Indian Associations, Kuwait’s Eng- 2nd Prize - Eunice Dinjen, 9th Std., bushed three buses after setting cludes Gideon Saar, Netanyahu’s advisory board member of Kala Indian Community School, Amman. also one of ABK’s core values based on up a checkpoint along the road. lish dailies, Web Portals and Malay- Transparency & Integrity. chief rival within the ruling Li- (Art) Kuwait. alam Medias for their wholehearted 3rd Prize - Angel Mary Thomas, The Observatory’s director, Rami kud party, who broke away ear- The prizes distributed among, 11th Std., Indian Central School, For more information about ABK, Abdurrahman, said the attackers support to make the event a grand please visiteahli.com or contact an lier this month to form a rival fac- Five 1st Prizes in to each group, Six success. Abbassiya & Sandra Sibichan, 9th were believed to be IS militants tion called “A New Hope.” ABK customer service agent via who laid explosive devices on the 2nd Prizes and Eight 3rd prizes. The Std., United Indian School, Ab- ‘Ahlan Ahli’ at 1899899. Polling shows Netanyahu’s Li- fi rst place winners of each group re- The Prize Winners as follows: bassiya. road and then opened fi re at the kud party winning the most seats ceived a Gold Coin & Gold Medal, Group-A: 1st Prize-Advik Nayak, Clay Sculpture: 1st Prize - Shahul buses. He said the assault killed but struggling to form a major- Second place winner with silver UKG, Jabriya Indian School, 2nd Hameedeen Thamsudeen, 12th Std., 30, all of them soldiers returning ity coalition because of rivalries medal and Third place winner with Prize-Basil Joji, UKG, Gulf Indian Indian Community School, Khaitan. home for the holidays. with other right-wing factions. bronze medal apart from memento, School, Fahaheel, 3rd Prize-Dion 2nd Prize-Ariel Jerald, 7th Std., Syrian state media rarely re- Blue and White is on track to see certifi cate and American Tourister Jaison George, 1st Std, Learners United Indian School, Abbassiya. ports military casualties. (AP) its share of seats drop into the Sponsored Bag. Own Academy, Abbassiya & Pathik 3rd Prize-Nafeesath Rawan, 11th ❑ ❑ ❑ single digits. (AP) Panel of Judges Artist Sasi Jignesh Sheladiya, LKG, Jack & Jill Std., Carmel School.