Kuwait to empower young entrepreneurs

KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Al-Subaih yesterday said the government has 11 transformative and youth projects in the pipeline, and the General Secretariat for Planning will execute them. "The government aims to have more industries run by the youth that promote local products," said Subaih, who is also the State Minister for Planning and Development, during the launch of the Kuwait Industries Union Expo 2016 at Sheraton Hotel yesterday.

This three-day event is organized by the Kuwait Industries Union (KIU), and 55 local industrial companies and public institutions from different sectors including food, construction, chemical and others are participating in the expo.

"The Kuwait Industries Union Expo is rapidly improving every year, which indicates the importance of the industrial sector for the local economy. The Ministry of Social Affairs supports new industries, and is cooperating with 10 youth groups from cooperative societies and development centers. Next month, a decision will be issued to support these projects by mandating 10 percent of the ministry's purchases from these projects," Subaih said.

Regarding developing Kuwaiti islands, Subaih said a company is studying the project, and that Khairan City will also be integrated in this development. "The company will present three proposals for the project, and the ministry will select one. The hike in petrol prices hasn't affected the prices of local products," she added.

As part of the expo, a symposium was held after the official launch of the exhibition. Representatives of three institutions presented this symposium. Acting Director General of KIU Mohammed Al-Ajmi noted that KIU has approved more than 230 applications for expanding industries in various areas including west Shuaiba, Amghara and Subhan during the past two years.

"Shuaiba will see new projects including 35 industrial investment projects of a value of KD 1 billion. All these projects respect environmental standards. We should focus on manufacturing as this is the strategic alternative, especially with the low price of oil. Also, 1,056 industrial plots in Shadadiya will be given to the applicants after approval by the municipal council," stressed Ajmi.

KIU has executed a 'one window' service. "We faced a problem of incompetent employees. With the electronic portal, we overcame this obstacle and succeeded to finalize over 150 transactions. We are also preparing a recycling project in Salmi, and are now readying the infrastructure," he added.

Abdullah Al-Sabah, Director General of the Environment Public Authority (EPA), explained the new environment law includes more than 50 articles related to industry, factories, emissions and other issues. "EPA aims to gain the cooperation of all factories so that they use safe ways of waste disposal, and they are cooperating. EPA hasn't shut down any factory till now, but we have issued some fines," he pointed out.

Abdullah Al-Motoutah, Acting Director General of the Public Authority for Manpower, said the One Window service was launched at the authority in cooperation with KIU, through which investors can renew, cancel or make inquiries.

By Nawara Fattahova