KUWAIT CITY, July 26:  The government is allegedly planning to specify new fees for some services, such as the toll for plying certain roads, reports Arrouiah daily sources.

Sources revealed the proposed collection of road toll is aimed at easing traffic jam, since this will serve as an alternative to the expansion of highways at ridiculous costs.  They cited the success of major cities like Singapore, Oslo and Central London, which had earlier implemented a similar scheme. They explained the collection of toll will be limited to busy roads to reduce traffic congestion. 

Sources said the government will upgrade the public transportation system to provide a better alternative to car owners.  Sources clarified the government has decided to increase or impose fees for some services but this is subject to approval by the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, Minister of Finance Mustafa Al-Shamali has refuted allegations that his ministry is preparing a draft bill on imposing taxes, while Undersecretary Samir Abdulfattah has admitted that he is hoping for the immediate approval of a comprehensive tax bill to help the nation achieve its economic and social development goals, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily.

Sources believe the officials are cautious in issuing any statement on the bill to avoid a clash with the Parliament. Sources said the ministry officials have been trying to maintain harmonious relations with the lawmakers.

Assistant Undersecretary for Administration, Finance and Planning Affairs at the Ministry of Communications, Dr Waleed Al-Najar, said the ministry has made contact with the local telecommunications service providers to implement the GCC concept of reducing the charges on calls within the region by 25 percent, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily.
The project will be activated by Sept 1, 2010, based on the outcome of opinions by regulatory authorities in the region, which concluded the cost of communication is exorbitant.
He stressed that phone call will be charged per seconds rather than minutes to bring down the cost, indicating Kuwaitis buy new telephone cards whenever they visit neighboring countries because the cards there are relatively cheap.