Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah is keen on accomplishing the state’s set development plan
Friday, July 9th, 2010His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah stressed the government is keen on accomplishing the state’s set development plan and is stressing cooperation among all state bodies and diligent effort to work out difficulties as means towards that end.
The premier was addressing a press conference he held with Editors-in-Chief of local papers, and stressed all due effort shall be exerted and all due cooperation shall be within the framework of the constitution. The government shall respect all supervisory tools used by Members of Parliament (MPs) and will cooperate with them “and would not allow differences and conflicts stall development or cause tension in the relationship between the two authorities, and we have relentless determination to overcome all hurdles.”
The premier expressed thanks to the Almighty for blessing the state “with guidance and strength to utilize constitutional tools, and coordinate their usage as well as coordinate efforts by the civil community institutions and all groups within Kuwaiti society, and investing all that to serve the homeland and push forward development and bring about prosperity.” The prime minister also expressed appreciation to his Highnesses the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah for their great and continued support to all authorities and for their wise counsel which bolsters national action and protects it against shortcomings that could lead to deviation from the set path.
The premier also expressed appreciation for the constructive effort of MPs and the time they put in “to enable as much achievement as possible.” The judicial authority efforts also merit appreciation, as it maintains law and order and justice even in the face of challenge.
As for the role of media, His Highness hailed the achievement and performance and pioneering role of media in Kuwait. He specifically hailed media institutions’ cooperation to support and maintain the political track.
“I address you here today as we look back on a very sensitive stage, and the last few months saw great and most serious and keen effort to maintain the homeland’s best interest on the long run.
“It is crucial now to look back and assess what has been achieved throughout last year before we all go on summer break; the achievements have been unique and of great weight if considered within the perspective of Kuwait’s political history,” His Highness remarked.
“For the first time, we have an agreed strategic vision that shall guide our policies till the year 2035, drafted in consultation with the Amir and by national and international experts. This shall serve as framework for the efforts of the current and coming governments as they seek to meet the expectations of the people.” the premier remarked, “This is the first time in our legislative history for parliament to unanimously pass the development plan for the next four years,” and “the process of realizing this blueprint is to go according to a clear methodology approved by the constitutional institutions and realized through cooperation and integration of initiatives by all economic and social sectors.”
“The approved plan would put us on the right path towards economic development and help achieve our ambitions. And through the plan, we will determine and fund several hundred projects and initiatives, and the state treasury would spend great sums, and all would, God willing, lead to improvement in the state’s infrastructure and improve general services.” The premier pointed out several legislations passed to meet the demands of development and the challenge facing the state, including laws on the monetary authority, privatization, rights of those with special needs, and labor.
Cooperation between the government and MPs was manifested when the government did not oppose several grilling requests, though some had crossed the lines set by the constitution and the constitutional court, and the government passed all grillings, which were both frequent and serious.
The premier finally prayed the Almighty bless all in the state with wisdom and continued resolve to best serve the homeland and the people’s interests under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir and the Crown Prince.
The conference was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Minister of State for Development Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Roudhan Abdel Aziz Al-Roudhan, Minister of Oil and Information Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Minister of Finance Mustafa Al-Shimali, Minister of Communication and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs Mohammad Al-Busairi, Minister of Commerce and Industry Ahmad Al-Haroun, Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs Dr. Fadhel Safar, Minister of Electricity and Water Dr. Bader Al-Shuraian and Minister of Health Dr. Hilal Al-Sayer.
Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad said the meeting is follow-up to previous meetings that have been regularly held by the HH the prime minister with “the media family and the fourth authority,” indicating that it is intended for “consultations and relay of information regarding the government recent activities.” He affirmed that the talks dealt with the government “road map” for integrated development schemes aimed at restoring Kuwait’s leading status in the region so “it might become a financial and commercial hub.”
Dealing with the implementation of the development plan, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad said: “Before talking about the advantages, let’s talk about the obstacles lying ahead.
“Bureaucracy always constitutes a real bottleneck for carrying out any development project. Yet, we have adopted a new approach which, God willing will help overcome these obstacles and facilitate the implementation of a rage of key projects in the areas of housing, healthcare, transport and ports.
“The government has finalized the building of four housing cities, namely Sheikh Saad, Sheikh Sabah, Sheikh Jaber, and West Solaibkhat cities.”
“The Ministry of Public Works and global consultancy firms signed contracts on launching four other hospitals the first of which, with a bed capacity ranging between 350 and 400 beds, will be cast for tendering in October.
The four hospitals and the Police Hospital will relieve the burdens on the country’s current 11 hospitals,” Sheikh Ahmad revealed.
As for the transport projects, he said a contract has been signed on building the United Nations Road. The upgrading of Jamal Abdul-Nasser Road, the First and Fifth ring roads, and Al-Sabiyah Road is in the offing.
“The capacity of the air and sea ports has been expanded through ambitious projects involving Kuwait International Airport and Boubyan Seaport.
“The Ministry of Communication scaled up efforts to finalize the draft bill on the launching of a transport authority,” Sheikh Ahmad disclosed.
“The government is building the infrastructure of new industrial zones. The development plan envisages launching 14 major construction projects. We expect that contracts of the development of such projects to take place by next February,” he said.
“The plan also envisages setting up five public shareholding companies and a shareholding company for low-cost housing projects. We are studying the funding for these projects,” he pointed out.
Dealing with the issue of power supplies, Sheikh Ahmad said: “The construction of Al-Sabiya power station has been completed. We will get the first 1,000 megawatts from the station in early 2011.” “We are poised to put up for tendering a public shareholding company for launching Al-Zour station. This could take place by the end of 2010,” the minister predicted.
“There are other medium-size projects which will add 6,300 megawatts to the country’s power generating capacity and 300 million gallons to the water supplies a day.
As for tourist and leisure facilities, Sheikh Ahmad said they constituted an integral part of the development plan.
“We coordinated with the Touristic Enterprises Company (TEC) for launching 14 touristic projects in the coming three years after raising the capital of TEC from KD 15 million to KD 50 million,” the minister pointed out.
“Coordination is also underway with Kuwait International Fair Company and the public utilities Co for launching the fairground project and other key projects under the BOT system.
Asked about the purported overlap between the mandates of the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Kuwait, Minister of Finance Mustafa Al-Shimali said: “There is close coordination between the two sides regarding the fiscal policy of the country.” Admitting that some of the planned projects are too huge to be developed by small firms or contractors, the minister said the government was mulling involving the stumbling large-size firms instead of launching new shareholding companies.
“The projects, to be developed under the BOT system, will not be open for the developers listed on Kuwait Stock Exchange only as they could require the involvement of a strategic partner from inside or outside Kuwait,” he noted.