KUWAIT CITY, Aug 21: As part of the government's ongoing measures to recover state debts and prevent financial losses, sources stated that there is a proposal under consideration to expand the Ministry of Interior's initiative. This initiative currently mandates expatriates and visitors to settle their outstanding traffic violation fines before departing the country. The proposal aims to extend a similar requirement to other government agencies that provide essential services to expats. These services encompass various areas, such as electricity bills, water charges, transportation fees, civil card penalties, and more.

According to these sources, relevant authorities have initiated discussions to formulate a comprehensive mechanism aimed at enhancing the efficiency of debt collection across various ministries and government departments. This collaborative effort involves coordination among different agencies, including the Ministry of Interior, as well as key entities like the Ministries of Electricity, Water, Transportation, Health, Justice, the Public Authority for Civil Information, and others. One of the proposed scenarios involves the implementation of an automated linkage system between all governmental bodies. This system is envisioned to ensure the prompt collection of any outstanding dues during any governmental transaction, reports Al Rai.

In reference to a coordination meeting held between the Ministries of Interior, Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, discussions were centered on enhancing coordination mechanisms and exploring the potential requirement for expats to settle their electricity bills before exiting Kuwait. This proposition mirrors the existing obligation to clear traffic violation fines before departure or while conducting interior-related transactions, such as renewing accommodation and others.

Underscoring the unequivocal clarity of government directives, the sources emphasized the necessity for the pertinent authorities to bolster procedures for recovering debts from individuals who benefit from their provided services. In line with this directive, certain ministries and concerned entities have already initiated preliminary evaluations to assess the feasibility of enforcing pre-travel payments of bills and outstanding service amounts by expats. The overarching objective is to ensure alignment with the planned implementation mechanisms.

The practical execution of this approach requires a comprehensive study encompassing various technical aspects. This meticulous assessment entails a thorough review of the operational processes within each ministry or entity, including the methodologies employed for debt collection. Subsequent meetings are scheduled to convene with the Ministry of Interior to finalize the strategic implementation. This initiative holds significance in effectively regulating port movements prior to residents commencing their travels.