Action on economy, demographics urged – ARAB TIMES

KUWAIT CITY, June 4: MP Omar Al-Tabtabaie has said the government, represented by the Ministry of Finance, has been promising to provide an economic catalyst to damaged businesses since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, but nothing has been done until now.

MP Omar Al-Tabtabaie

He pointed out that the owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are suffering from the threat of losing their businesses, yet they have not received any support till date.

He said the government also promised to grant subsidy to Kuwaitis under the third and fifth items — those working in the private sector, but no serious action has been taken so far.

He criticized the administration of the National Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises for publishing an advertisement on the recruitment of two expatriate consultants.

He asserted they have a complex of foreign consultants, because they lack self-confidence and they do not trust the efficiency of national consultants. He said the recent news about the plan to sign consultative contracts with McKinsey and Company for conducting studies on the economic catalyst implies that the government has no studies and no solutions.

While stressing that extravagance continues, the lawmaker reminded HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid about the promises he made at the beginning of his term. He warned the premier against switching to the old attitude adopted by previous governments. He said Kuwaiti experts have presented many solutions and studies for free, but they have been ignored.

He asked: Until when will we distrust national capabilities? He also warned about social security troubles that might surface if the government does not protect the SMEs.

He added the grants for citizens, who contributed to the ongoing fight against coronavirus, must cover everyone who left their homes and families to render their services during the crisis; including the Kuwaiti Army, civilian employees at the Ministry of Interior, Kuwait Airways Corporation, Kuwait Flours Mills and Bakeries, and many others like cooperative societies.

He said the reward is not necessarily financial, as all they need is to be recognized for their outstanding service to the public. On the other hand, MP Abdulkareem Al-Kandari addressed HH the Prime Minister: “Your talk about the demographic situation in Kuwait will remain as mere media talk unless the government transforms its words into action.” He said the bill on fixing the lopsided demographic structure was submitted to the National Assembly in 2017 and he is still waiting for government action in this regard. In addition, MP Safa’a Al-Hashem urged HH the Prime Minister to replace the expatriate consultants at the Council of Ministers with Kuwaitis.

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff