RABIA ALTHANI 13, 1441 AH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 28 Pages Max 20º Min 07º 150 Fils Established 1961 ISSUE NO: 18006 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net Finland picks world’s youngest Miss South Africa wins Gender-segregated entrances Russia banned from Olympics 6 PM to head women-led cabinet 19 Miss Universe crown 24 for eateries scrapped in Saudi 28 and World Cup over doping Fitch: Kuwait political disputes to delay debt issuance, reform Ratings agency forecasts budget deficit of over 5% of GDP as oil prices fall HONG KONG/LONDON: The Kuwaiti government’s resignation and subsequent cabinet reshuffle point to No more survivors on NZ political frictions that could delay new debt issuance and weigh on broader fiscal and economic reforms, Fitch Ratings said in a report issued yesterday. Kuwait has island after volcano eruption been the slowest reformer in the Gulf Cooperation Council in recent years, partly due to these frictions and WELLINGTON: New Zealand police try and find those trapped “no signs of partly due to its exceptionally large sovereign assets, have said no more survivors were life have been seen at any point”. which could finance decades’ worth of fiscal deficits. expected to be rescued from an island “Based on the information we have, we “Parliamentary authorization to issue or refinance volcano that erupted suddenly yester- do not believe there are any survivors debt expired in 2017 and governments have been unable day, suggesting as many as two dozen on the island. Police is working urgently to secure approval for renewed borrowing. We had people could have died. Police said to confirm the exact number of those assumed this would happen in the fiscal year to end- some 50 people were visiting White who have died.” As night fell, deputy March 2020 (FY19/20), but given continued political Island when it exploded in the early commissioner John Tims said volcanic acrimony, we now think it will be delayed until FY20/21,” afternoon -hurling ash and rock high activity made a rescue attempts by land the report said. into the air. Some 23 people made it off too dangerous. “I’ve got to consider the Fitch estimates Kuwait’s central government gross the island, five of whom have since died, safety of our people and emergency financing need at about $23 billion (17 percent of GDP) the rest were being treated for injuries, services staff,” he said. for FY19/20, despite the expectation of a roughly bal- including severe burns. It was earlier The New Zealand military is expect- anced budget. This reflects the government’s legal obli- estimated the number still on the island ed to make a pass of the island at first gation to transfer 10 percent of its revenue into the was in double digits. light in the hope that people may have Reserve Fund for Future Generations (RFFG) and the Police said early today that despite survived against the odds. BAY OF PLENTY, New Zealand: This handout photograph shows the volcano on New fact that principal or income from the RFFG is not avail- several aerial reconnaissance flights to Continued on Page 24 Zealand’s White Island spewing steam and ash moments after it erupted yesterday. — AFP able for financing without special legislation. Continued on Page 24 2 Local Tuesday, December 10, 2019 UK Ambassador hosts reception in support of ‘Britain in Kuwait’ expo KUWAIT: (From left) Walid Al-Osaimi, Adel Muhammad Reda Behbehani, Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan, Abdullah Bishara, Ambassador Michael Davenport, Eid Al-Rashidi, Ahmed Ismail Behbehani, Abdul Aziz Al-Anjari and (From left) Jaber Ahmed Behbehani, Kawthar Dashti, Madonna Howick, British Ambassador Michael Sulaiman Al-Rifai. Davenport, Jaber Al-Hindal, Namrata Fahim, Ahmed Ismail Behbehani and Dr Youssef Ahmed Behbehani. KUWAIT: The United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Kuwait and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al- organizations who had taken part in or otherwise support- Exhibition organizer Emily Cunha spoke on the importance Michael Davenport hosted a networking reception at his Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, in the Diamond Ballroom ed the exhibition. of trade to all countries, and the special relationship residence on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 in support of in the Sheraton Hotel from 25-27 November 2019. Following welcome remarks by the Ambassador, HSBC between Kuwait and Britain, which has been celebrated by Britain in Kuwait 2019, the 10th British Trade Exhibition in Ambassador Davenport welcomed over 100 guests to the bank CEO Roger Winfield spoke to the crowd on the topic a series of events this year, as the 120th anniversary of the Kuwait. The exhibition itself was held under the auspices reception, representing more than forty companies and of how digitalization is transforming the modern economy. signing of the Kuwait British Friendship Treaty of 1889. (From left) Roger Winfield, Diana Winfield, Emily Cunha, Yamama Abdul (From left) Sheikha Toray, Roger Winfield, British Ambassador Michael Hadi, James Walsh, Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan, and Ahmed Ismail (From left) Nathan Taylor, Namrata Fahim, Ahmed Ismail Behbehani, Abdullah Davenport, Emily Cunha and Ahmed Ismail Behbehani. Behbehani. Bishara, Naila Al-Sadah and Rula Al-Sadah. Industries and Construction Expo opens victims of trafficking in persons and Kuwait marks providing medical and food services in addition to communicating with their country’s embassies. On Int’l Human regional cooperation in this field, he noted that a decision was issued to the Ministers of Justice of the GCC Rights Day States in their twenty-eighth meet- ing to adopt the model rules to com- KUWAIT: The human rights topic in bat trafficking in persons. general and the rights of foreign Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Assistant workers in particular occupy a large Foreign Minister for Human Rights part of Kuwait government strate- Affairs Talal Al-Mutairi affirmed that gies. Coinciding with the celebration Kuwait worked to adopt several of the International Human Rights measures on the ground to limit the Day, which falls on December 10 exploitation of contracting workers. annually, Kuwaiti officials reiterated Mutairi pointed out that there is a yesterday, the continuation of local legislative environment in Kuwait efforts to protect human rights, in that is in line with international stan- the belief in the principles of equali- dards, pointing to Law No. (91/2013) ty, non-discrimination and human concerning combating trafficking in dignity that the Kuwaiti legislator persons and smuggling of migrants. drew from the tolerant Islamic law. He stressed that there are cases that Officials tour the exhibition.— Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat KUWAIT: Officials inaugurate the industries and construction exhibition. In line with the international reso- are currently being considered in lutions concerned with the field of Kuwaiti courts for people who have human rights, perhaps the most been placed under the penalty of By Ben Garcia pm and 5 pm to 10 pm. Promotional discounts expo is gaining importance in light of the mega prominent of which was the adoption this law, adding that the Kuwaiti are available on construction material, decor development projects that are expected in the of the Universal Declaration of KUWAIT: A four-day industries and construc- and fitting units. Also available are building, fin- coming years,” he noted. “The expo embodies authorities have not and will not tol- Human Rights issued in 1948, Kuwait tion exhibition opened yesterday at Jumeirah ishing and smart technology material, furniture, the construction industry in Kuwait and the erate such cases, which unfortunate- Messilah Hotel. The inauguration was attended garden design, air-conditioning, engineering and region. It is also an opportunity to explore the was keen to adhere to the relevant ly may harm our record in the field by Fahd Al-Oun, Assistant Undersecretary of consulting offices. latest innovations, high quality products and international treaties and covenants, of human rights. the Ministry of Electricity and Water and Dr Dalia Nabil Wafai, Managing Director of services offered by the most important and believing in the importance of the Kuwait is a unique role model in Salem Al-Abalani, Head of the Cultural Expo Tag for Organizing Exhibitions and largest companies specialized in construction, international community joining dealing with and responding to Department at the Kuwait Foundation for the Conferences, said the expo aims to provide decor and furniture. Customers can explore the forces to achieve international peace human rights decisions and recom- Advancement of Sciences. The 9th Industries updates and investment opportunities for every- latest innovations in energy-saving products,” and security, protecting civilians and mendations issued by the UN special and Construction Expo kicked off with the par- one in the construction business, adding an she added. dedicating human rights values. rapporteurs and the UN Human ticipation of about 70 construction and furniture exhibition of this caliber is a perfect place for Wafai said she is confident of the success of Kuwait has clear human fingerprints Rights Council, said the representa- companies, as well as many governmental enti- direct communications between participants, the exhibition as it meets the needs and require- and tangible achievements in this tive of UN Secretary-General, the ties including the Public Authority for Housing experts and stakeholders in the industry and ments of the market and highlights modern, field by disseminating and promoting organization’s resident coordinator Affairs, Ministry of Electricity and Water, consumers from Kuwait and the region. innovative and quality products, and links all public and private freedoms, which in Kuwait, Dr Tariq Al-Sheikh. Ministry of Public Works and Kuwait Credit “Under Kuwait’s 2035 vision and in line with stakeholders and customers in one place in such made it occupy a world-class posi- Sheikh affirmed the UN great Bank.