Khaled Al-Duwaisan

KUWAIT: Kuwait Ambassador to the United Kingdom Khaled Al-Duwaisan has affirmed that the British authorities would begin issuing the charges-free online visas in the middle of next year, clarifying that the new system would be tested this month.

In remarks to the Arabic-language Kuwaiti daily newspaper 'Al-Anbaa' published yesterday, Ambassador Duwaisan indicated that there were some glitches in the new system, but the British authorities "tackled these flaws."

The new visa system will be in effect in January, 2016, but there would be tests on samples of Kuwaiti citizens planning to travel to Britain in December and January. The ambassador turned to other issues noting Kuwaiti investments in Britain stand at $50 billion, a fact that depicts the distinctive bilateral ties between the two countries.

The Kuwaiti Embassy in London encourages British medical cadres visits Kuwait to present their expertise for the national personnel, he told Al-Anbaa. Moreover, the embassy follows up on cultural activities. Several days, a ceremony was held for the annual award grants by Sheikh Abdullah Al-Mubarak Foundation for the best English books about the Middle East. The diplomatic mission is also involved in helping organize Kuwaiti book fairs in London "with aim of promoting the Kuwaiti society, its culture, our traditions and customs," he said. - KUNA