‘Provide collection offices at all ports’

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 24: After fines of traffic violations and bills for use of electricity and water, expatriates will now have to pay their dues owed to the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Justice before leaving the country, reports Aljarida daily. According to informed sources, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior Lieutenant General Anwar Al-Barjas held a meeting on Wednesday with the Undersecretary of Ministry of Communication Dr. Ahmed Al-Majren, and the Undersecretary of Ministry of Justice Hashim Al-Qallaf to discuss the mechanism for electronic interface among the three ministries to collect state dues.

They explained that the linking mechanism with the Ministry of Interior will be through the General Department of Information Systems, which will link notifications that come from the ministries regarding people’s bills, to the management of the ports, which will not allow the departure of any expatriate, Gulf citizen or visitor without paying their bills. The Ministry of Interior called on the relevant ministries to provide collection offices at all ports in order to avoid any disruption to travelers.

Also, informed sources in the Ministry of Electricity revealed that the ministry is currently working on the completion of the electronic interface with the Ministry of Interior before September to collect its debts from expatriates.

They explained that bills exceeding KD 900 can be settled before travel, but if an expatriate cannot pay them, he has to seek the sponsorship of a citizen. However, bills with minor values must be paid before exiting the country. There are tens of millions of bills owed by expatriates who left without returning. It may fall under the item of bad debts, but this requires the approval of the Council of Ministers and the Fatwa and Legislation Department.