Essam Al-Marzouq

KUWAIT: Oil minister and Minister of Electricity and Water Essam Al-Marzouq stressed that Kuwait's water security strategy is basically dependent on desalinating seawater and denied any current plans to import freshwater. "Importing freshwater can only happen if the cost is lower than that of desalinating it," he underscored, noting that a local company had suggested importing water but no deal was made so far.

No dissolution

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) denied dissolving the Oil Sector Services Company (OSSC), noting that the company is specialized in providing services to foreign agencies and following up labor cases filed against the company. KPC added that the Supreme Petroleum Council had only reduced the number of board members from seven to three.

Properties

Well-informed official sources at Kuwait Municipality said valuation of expropriated properties would have to be suspended for the time being due to the Cabinet's resignation and the lack of a municipal council.

Charities

A report by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MSAL) said a total of 17 charities had been dissolved since 2013. The report also noted that despite the regulatory measures taken to organize charity work, the total sums collected as donations in 2017 was KD 40 million, compared to only KD 6 million in 2013. The report also noted that the total number of charities has grown from 10 in 2015 to 29 currently.

By A Saleh