SUBSCRIPTION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 THULHIJJA 9, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Amir extends Eid greetings Pilgrims Revolutionizing Kuwait SC in mass smartphone win eighth KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah congratulated yesterday citizens and residents movement e-commerce football of Kuwait on the advent of Eid Al-Adha, expressing best wishes, health and prosperity to all. A statement by the to start hajj market in GCC Super Cup Amiri Diwan noted that HH the Amir extended his senti- ments to the Arab and Islamic worlds, wishing everyone security and stability, and asked Allah Almighty to pro- tect Kuwait and its people. — KUNA 13 25 20 Kuwait budget deficit Min 26º Max 44º hits KD 1.09bn by Aug High Tide 05:30 & 20:25 Low Tide Future fund deduction adds to shortfall 13:10 40 PAGES NO: 16649 150 FILS KUWAIT: Kuwait’s budget deficit in the first five months of the fiscal year stood at KD 1.094 billion ($3.62 billion) Qatar to bring in after a deduction for the Future Generations Fund, the e-contracts for finance ministry said yesterday in a statement carried by Kuwait News Agency. The deficit from Apr 1 to Aug 31 workers in 2016 stood at KD 361.38 million before the 10 percent contri- bution of KD 733.50 million to the Future Generations DOHA: World Cup 2022 football host Qatar is to intro- Fund, part of Kuwait’s sovereign wealth fund, the state- duce a pioneering electronic contract system for laborers ment said. early next year, officials said yesterday. The system, The finance ministry said actual expenditure thought to be the first of its kind in Qatar, should be in amounted to KD 7.6 billion, an increase of KD 4.4 billion, place by the end of March 2016, Mohamed Ali Al Meer, a according to the Central Bank’s monthly reports. The senior official at the ministry of labor and social affairs, second half of this year will see more spending after told AFP. “We are working on this system to be in place in paying contractors and importers’ dues, it added. The the first quarter of the coming year,” Meer said. “It will help ministry of finance has been publishing statements on the worker so he knows his rights.” the state’s monthly and quarterly spending on its web- Under the new system, laborers will be able to access site, since there has been an increasing interest by a government website and by entering personal details media outlets and social media in the country’s financial such as their name, ID or visa number, be able to view reports. their work contract. Many workers will be able to see Finance Minister Anas Al-Saleh told reporters on Sept what they have signed up for in Qatar for the first time in 15 that Kuwait plans to issue bonds in local currency by their own language, said officials, as many sign contracts the end of the year to help bridge its budget deficit. The written in English or Arabic only. The service will be initial- National Assembly in July approved a state budget for ly offered in 10 languages, including Nepalese and Urdu. the current 2015-16 fiscal year, which begins on April 1, There have been many reports of laborers being that envisages a budget deficit of KD 8.18 billion duped on contracts, in key areas such as pay. One such because of low oil prices. worker, a Ghanaian laborer called Hassan, told AFP this However, the actual deficit may not turn out to be year he had signed a contract he thought meant he nearly as large. The size will depend on oil prices, while would be paid $900 per month, but it was only for 900 Kuwait has in the past often underspent its budget Qatari riyals per month, or around $250. KUWAIT: A vendor waits for customers at the livestock market in Rai yesterday, ahead of Eid Al-Adha or because of bureaucratic red tape and tensions between Continued on Page 13 the “Feast of Sacrifice”. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat the Cabinet and parliament that have slowed economic projects. This could also limit the deficit. — Agencies WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 LOCAL Amir congratulates Saudi Saudi Arabian embassy Arabia on national day celebrates national day KUWAIT: The Saudi Embassy to Kuwait is controlling Yemen and its institutions to preparing a special ceremony to cele- turn it into a base of foreign influence. KUWAIT/RIYADH: His Highness the Amir brate its national day today, September He added that this was followed by an Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah 23. “September 23 will forever remain a operation to return hope to the brother- sent a cable of congratulations yesterday to historic day for all Saudi citizens,” said ly Yemeni people. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saudi Ambassador to Kuwait Abdulaziz “Ever since its foundation, Saudi lead- Saud on the kingdom’s 85th national day bin Ibrahim Al-Fayez in a press release. ers have been keen on taking good care anniversary. His Highness the Amir praised Fayez praised this unforgettable day of the two holy mosques,” added Fayez, the kingdom’s achievements throughout the when the whole of Saudi Arabia was noting that the Grand Mosque in Makkah years on many levels, expressing his best united into one larger and stronger and the Prophet’s (PBUH) Mosque in nation under the late King Abdulaziz bin Madinah have witnessed the largest wishes, good health, and prosperity to the Abdulrahman Al Saud in 1932. expansions in their history, and King kingdom, its leadership and people. “One can never think of this historic Salman opened the first phase of the His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown day without remembering and mention- expansions meant to help pilgrims per- Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- ing the Arabian Peninsula’s hero, King form their rituals more easily and comfort- Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Abdulaziz, who managed through his ably in Ramadan. “More efforts are on to Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah piercing wisdom, determination, persist- complete the King Abdulaziz International sent similar cables to the Saudi king express- ence and the help of his loyal followers to Airport project in Jeddah, the custodian of ing similar sentiments. unite various regions under one flag,” said the two holy mosques’ train and many Fayez, reminding of the great develop- other infrastructure projects,” Fayez Leading role ment and progress that had been explained. Meanwhile, Minister of Information and achieved ever since by King Abdulaziz’s Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh loyal sons - Saud, Faisal, Khalid, Fahd and Major role Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah Abdullah - who devotedly spent their lives “Saudi Arabia has been domestically, hailed the Saudi leaders throughout the years developing the kingdom, while at the regionally and internationally playing a and since the inception of the Kingdom by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud same time defending and serving Islam. major role in maintaining security and King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud and Ahmad Al-Sabah “Remembering the sacrifices of late stability,” added Fayez, noting that being all the way till King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Arabia on its national day, affirming the leaders and senior officials, one can nev- one of the first countries to suffer from Saud. The minister made his remarks ahead The minister pointed to the Kingdom’s Kingdom’s steady path towards develop- er forget the efforts of Princes Sultan bin terrorism, Saudi Arabia continues to of the kingdom’s national day today, affirm- prominent and vital role in supporting the ment, progress and stability. Abdulaziz and Nayef bin Abdulaziz (may fight it. “Thanks to its wise leadership Allah have mercy on their souls) for and security efforts, Saudi Arabia man- ing the Kingdom’s staunch leading economic, security and stability of the region. Sheikh Sheikh Thamer extended his congratula- devotedly serving both Islam and their aged to foil many terrorist schemes. Out political, and military role regionally and Salman extended his congratulations to all tions to King Salman bin Abdulaziz, all nation,” added Fayez. “Saudi Arabia con- of recognition of the importance of com- globally. members of the Saudi cabinet and people, members of the Saudi royal family, govern- tinues to develop and modernize in all bining international efforts to fight ter- In a statement, Sheikh Salman said that wishing them good health and prosperity. ment and people, wishing them good fields under the Custodian of the Two this 85th anniversary comes at a time the health and prosperity. The ambassador not- Holy Mosques King Salman bin kingdom is in a leading position, whether on Steady path ed also the strong and historic ties between Abdulaziz Al Saud,” highlighted Fayez, the regional, Arab, Islamic, or international Also, Kuwait’s Ambassador to Saudi Kuwait and the Kingdom and the robust noting that Saudi Arabia was currently arenas, noting its tremendous achievements Arabia Sheikh Thamer Jaber Al-Ahmad Al- bilateral relations between the two govern- going through a phase of prosperity, and services rendered to Muslim pilgrims in Sabah congratulated the Kingdom of Saudi ments. —KUNA welfare and determination to keep ongoing constructions in order to pro- vide all kinds of welfare for its citizens. The right path Fayez also noted that King Salman commenced his kingship with a number of royal decisions that helped place Saudi Arabia on the right path towards more welfare through investing in all national human powers and potentials.