‘Kuwaitis must exceed expats, fix lopsided population count’ – Need to improve business mood: panel

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KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: MP Osama Al-Shaheen has forwarded questions to Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and State Minister for Economic Affairs Hind Al-Subeih on the lopsided population structure issue. He pointed out the issue has been causing economic, social and security problems; indicating the successive governments included the issue in their work programs without yielding desired results. He asked the minister about plans to ensure diversity of non- Kuwaitis residing in the country; number of citizens, expatriates and Bedouns for the years 1986- 1996-2006-2016; and plans to fix the lopsided population structure such that the number of Kuwaitis is higher than expatriates.

Meanwhile, Commerce and Industry Minister Khaled Al-Roudan on Wednesday met the parliamentary Small and Medium Enterprises and Business Environment Improvement Committee, during which they agreed on the need to improve the local business environment especially since the country currently ranks 102nd in this aspect worldwide. He asserted this rank does not suit the country and its economy, affirming a comprehensive plan in this regard will be presented to the Parliament next week. He said improving the business environment is linked with several bodies, adding that the Cabinet has instructed all institutions to cooperate with the committee in improving the business environment in order to encourage young Kuwaitis to put up their own businesses.

On the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Al-Roudan said he asked the committee to postpone talks on this issue for three months. He added a brainstorming workshop will be held soon with people interested in this subject and members of the Small and Medium Enterprises and Business Environment Improvement Committee in attendance. “This is in cooperation with the concerned parliamentary committees. SMEs will have their share through the development of their fund and amendment of the relevant laws,” he explained.

By Abubakar A. Ibrahim Arab Times Staff

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