KUWAIT: Minister of State for Economic Development Mariam Al-Aqeel yesterday referred the 2019-2020 development plan to the National Assembly after it was reviewed by the Cabinet as part of the 2015-2016/2019-2020 second development plan, said the Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Development and Planning Khaled Mahdi. Speaking at a press conference, Mahdi explained the plan includes 135 projects, 32 programs and 66 indexes, in addition to 238 policies with investment cost of KD 3,539,000,000.

Mahdi added that the projects are based on a diversified economy and focus on improving the business environment, financial sustainability, developing tourism, privatization and developing the oil sector. He added that the projects also focus on developing human resources, improving the quality of education, youth empowerment, resolving local market imbalances, integrating citizens with special needs in the employment system, improving senior citizens' services and enhancing social solidarity.

Automated services

The Public Authority for Manpower's deputy director Hassan Al-Khodor stressed that the authority constantly reviews its decisions to make sure they match public interest and the labor market needs. Khodor added that the authority is taking confident steps towards automating all its services and getting rid of paper documentation. He added that the authority is currently reconsidering the fee paid for its services, noting that they are the lowest in GCC states.

Convoy headquarters

Kuwait Municipality's acting director Abdullah Emadi rejected a request made by the Hajj Convoy Owners Union to license headquarters in residential areas. Emadi approved a request made by the awqaf ministry to expand a mosque in Mubarak Al-Kabeer.

Terminal 2

With fears that the operator would monopolize the terminal, the Supreme Council for Planning and Development urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to take its time before contracting an international operator to operate Terminal 2 (T2). In its report, the council called for further studies, noting that contracting an international operator and management would marginalize DGCA with all its technical, human, financial and administrative skills. The report also called for studying regional and GCC experiences in this regard.

By Meshaal Al-Enezi and A Saleh