KUWAIT CITY, Dec 22: The Municipal Council, in its regular session held on Monday, presided over by Vice Chairman Khalid Al-Mutairi, approved a proposal submitted by member Munira Al-Amir to establish a special regulation covering government land allocation procedures and their detailed decisions. The measure aims to organize one of the Council’s most important powers within a clear and comprehensive framework. Al-Amir emphasized that the regulation stems from the need to unify and standardize land allocation procedures by consolidating previous decisions and practices.
She noted that the proposal was prompted by weaknesses in the integration of past decisions, which have affected follow-up, oversight, and implementation, particularly given the involvement of multiple government entities in the process. After approximately three hours of deliberations, the Municipal Council adopted a draft amendment to Ministerial Resolution No. 599/2023 on advertising regulations. The amendment introduces several regulatory changes, including definitions for media outlets, electronic screens, and advertising websites, as well as the establishment of lighting standards and requirements for consistent brand names. It also sets a maximum height of five meters for advertising signs, regulates the use of light boxes on shop fronts, and imposes annual fees of KD 40 for advertisements on delivery bikes and KD 100 for commercial advertisements via advertising companies.
Additional provisions include a ban on advertisements on bridges, a minimum distance of 300 meters between billboards, and regulations on the size of projecting advertisements. The Municipal Council approved a minimum annual fee of KD 75 per square meter for continuous electronic advertising sold through auctions, confirming that the fee applies to a full advertising license under the new regulations. Furthermore, it approved the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ request to reorganize a section of the Diplomatic Quarter by subdividing plot number 44, covering 3,000 square meters, into two equal plots of 1,500 square meters each.
These plots will be allocated to the embassies of the Philippines and Sri Lanka, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance’s State Property Department. The Municipal Council also rejected Kuwait University’s request for an exemption from Clause 7 of Article 1 of Ministerial Resolution No. 206/2009 concerning the medical campus project in Sabah Al-Salem University City. Meanwhile, Fahad Al-Abduljader, Head of the Legal and Financial Committee of the Municipal Council, stated that the amendments to the advertising regulations aim to organize the sector, enhance the urban arena, improve aesthetics, ensure efficient use of public and private spaces, safeguard public safety, and protect rights.
He explained that the amendments update advertisement definitions to cover all types, regulate general conditions, licensing procedures, and license durations, and mandate the removal of advertisements upon license expiration. The regulations also specify the locations and dimensions of advertisements in different areas. The regulations prohibit certain advertisements, including promotions of tobacco and medicines without prior approval, and regulate seasonal and temporary advertisements as well as illuminated advertising boxes. They also establish criteria for qualifying and classifying advertising companies. In addition, the Municipal Council approved the spring break for its members, which will last one month, from January 4 to February 3.
By Inaas Awadh Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
