publish time

02/04/2018

author name Arab Times

publish time

02/04/2018

‘No plan to sell Touristic Enterprises Company to private firm’
Major-General Talal Ma’arafi
KUWAIT CITY, April 1: Director General of Residency Affairs General Department in the Interior Ministry Major General Talal Al-Marafe held a meeting with the chairperson of Kuwaiti Union of Domestic Labor Offices his deputy and members of the union’s board of directors, reports Al-Seyassah daily.Several officials from the Residency Affairs General Department attended the meeting, during which they discussed obstacles that the union’s board is facing.They also talked about the requirements which must be fulfilled in order to facilitate and expedite procedures related to recruitment of domestic workers. Al-Marafe disclosed the board will meet representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs soon to discuss the issue of recruiting domestic workers, indicating the meeting is part of the coordinated efforts of State ministries in addressing the issue.He clarified there is no objection to recruiting domestic workers from countries in which Kuwait has no diplomatic representation on condition that the passport of the recruited worker is valid for not less than three years. He also applauded the strong coordination between the Residency Affairs General Department and Kuwaiti Union of Domestic Labor Offices in finding practical solutions to challenges in the recruitment of domestic workers with the objective of fulfilling the needs of both the Kuwaiti and expatriate families.It is worth mentioning that the Kuwaiti Union of Domestic Labor Offices consists of eight domestic workers recruitment agencies and 321 offices around the country.Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance Dr Nayef Al-Hajraf has denied reports that the ministry is planning to sell the Touristic Enterprises Company to a private company. He clarified that the company is currently studying the future strategy that includes establishing subsidiaries in the tourism sector as a way of actualizing its strategy, reports Al-Nahar daily.In response to parliamentary questions, the minister explained that the Chief Executive Officer of the company presented the strategy and the Council of Ministers approved it.The council applauded its contents, ideas and projects. The company has been mandated to propose alternatives for funding and execution of the projects contained in the strategy. It has been upgrading its facilities through self funding. The company signed 24 consultancy contracts, most of which have been executed alongside some companies in various aspects such as public relations and marketing.Mechanisms for funding and tax, and salary restructure have been improved, and structural plans for upgrading the Entertainment City, beaches, Al-Khairan Park, facilities for services at the airport, sea clubs, Al-Belajat Beach, Ras Al-Ardh, Messila, Egaila, and Marina Yacht Club have been prepared. They also include upgrading water and sea sports facilities at relaxation areas in Salmi, Abdali and Nuwaiseeb