KUWAIT CITY, Jan 31: The Public Authority for Manpower is expected to release a new schedule of fees for work permit-related transactions next week, reports Al-Anba daily quoting sources. Sources disclosed the fees for transferring a work permit will increase from KD 10 to KD 50 while the fees for issuing a work permit for the first time will be KD 50 and KD 10 for renewal.  Sources added the issuance of authorizations will remain free of charge.

Cuts won’t hurt poorMinister of Public Works and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs Ali Al-Omair vowed on Sunday that lowincome citizens would not be affected by looming subsidy cuts involving petrol, power and others. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a healthcare engineering exhibition and conference that kicked off today, the minister said suggestions were still being considered for saving power and petrol.

Such suggestions were discussed during a joint meeting of the Supreme Council for Planning and the Cabinet on Wednesday and some visions and solutions were reached, the minister said, reiterating that low-income people would remain intact.

On the exhibition, Al-Omair said the event includes vital and significant projects that have something to do with public health, environment and watersaving. On his part, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Works for Healthcare Engineering Sector Waleed Al-Ghanim said in a press statement that the exhibition involves key future projects that are meant to enable the ministry to fulfill its strategic goals, primarily sustainable health infrastructures as per international criteria.

The healthcare engineering sector’s budget for this fiscal year is estimated at approximately KD 5 million, while it is expected to skyrocket to KD 80 million in the coming FY due to a plan to sign five new projects, he added.