Kuwait Prime Minister Nasser Previews Development Plan, Vows to Reduce Bureaucracy

KUWAIT CITY, August 17, 2010 - His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah
(www.pm.gov.kw/index.asp) announced that the Kuwait development plan (
www.gulfbase.com/site/Interface/SpecialReport/KuwaitDevelopmentPlan.pdf)
is moving ahead with full speed and he has vowed to reduce any bureaucracy
that may be causing delays to the project.

Sheikh Nasser (
www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/158128/reftab/96/Default.aspx)
told the Arab Times on August 11 that he is aware the Kuwaiti citizens are
frustrated with arguments and lack of progress with the development plan. To
counter this, he said there are major bills before the National Assembly in
the upcoming session that will reduce, or even eliminate, the bureaucratic
hurdles that have slowed down the development plan from being carried out. He
said the privatization and establishment of holding companies are some of the
approved proposals. This will contribute to the successful implementation of
important projects.

Sheikh Nasser also unveiled the country's plan to assess the BOT law,
which is relevant in partnering with the private sector to execute the
development plan.

"We are facing a new scenario, which will strengthen the
executive-legislative cooperation, because this is essential in serving the
country and citizens," Sheikh Nasser said.

The Prime Minister said there are 20 large projects overall in the
development plan. In the first phase of implementation, the government will
concentrate on 6-7 of these projects. He said these are service-related in
the fields of communications, education and health.

In an interview with Al-Seyassah newspaper published August 12, Sheikh
Nasser (
www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?Language=en&id=2105929)
said Kuwait is not alone in these kinds of delays in implementing major
projects. Political arguments are common in nations that are structured like
Kuwait, but in Kuwait he is confident these setbacks are being resolved.

"We are a constitutional state, and law is the reference in any dispute.
There are also courts and there is Abdullah Al-Salem Hall (Parliament) for
any political action, and there are constitutional institutions that are to
govern all things, which had been agreed by all."

Source: www.almadar-kw.com/

Hani Megahed, +965-2266-6008