KUWAIT: Some MPs are planning to 'impose' a parliamentary proposal calling for the establishment of a national authority to organize and manage the demographic structure, because MPs believe the government is not serious in dealing with the risks of the current demographic structure in Kuwait and that parliamentary intervention is a must to reach security, social and economic solutions. They said the number of expats should be reduced by at least 30 percent, particularly from large communities, apart from getting rid of marginal laborers.

Meanwhile, government sources said that any talk about plans to increase gasoline prices next year is not on the government's agenda at all, was not discussed and there is no memo about this matter. The sources said the last price increase was in Sept 2016, less than three years ago, which is a short period to evaluate the decision and its effects on the local market and general prices, so any decision for another increase will not be quick and an extensive study is needed.

The sources also commented on talk that the number of cars is large in Kuwait, which creates traffic jams, noting the solution for those jams will not be by increasing gasoline prices, rather by other solutions related to the problem. The sources did not deny that the prices are under a comprehensive study, and will increase one day. They said prices of gasoline and power will not increase during the next two years at least, and in case there is an intention to increase them, it will be within an integrated plan.

By A Saleh