Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Sadiq Mohammed Marafi , Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Audra Plipeti, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Germany assigned to the Republic of Lithuania Reem Mohammed Al-Khaled, and Romanos Davidonis, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to the United Arab Emirates.

BERLIN, July 22: The State of Kuwait and Lithuania signed Monday a memo of understanding (MoU) aiming at holding political consultations between both countries. Kuwaiti Assistant Foreign Minister for Europe Affairs Sadiq Marafi and Lithuanian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Audra Plepyte signed the MoU in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, the Kuwaiti Embassy in Germany said in a press release, a copy of which was obtained by KUNA.

Following the singing, both sides held the first round of political consultations about bilateral economic and investment relations, according to the release. They also looked into the exchange of expertise in scientific, medical, and governance fields, along with major regional and international issues. The Kuwaiti Embassy in Germany said in a statement obtained by Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the MoU was signed in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, by Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Sadiq Marafi and Lithuanian Deputy Foreign Minister Audra Plepyte. The statement added that following the signing, the two sides held the first round of consultations, with the Kuwaiti side headed by Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Sadiq Marafi and the Lithuanian side led by Deputy Foreign Minister Audra Plepyte.

According to the statement, the two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations at all levels, especially in the economic and investment sectors, in line with Kuwait’s Vision 2035. The meeting also covered opportunities for exchanging expertise in the scientific, medical, and governance fields, as well as key regional and international issues, including opportunities for cooperation in international forums. The Kuwaiti side was represented in the consultations by Reem Al- Khaled, the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Germany and non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Lithuania, and Ramunas Davidonis, the Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to the United Arab Emirates and non-resident Ambassador to the State of Kuwait. (KUNA)

KUWAIT CITY, July 22: In line with its plan to develop Kuwait International Airport and modernize its investment and service infrastructure, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has started preparing for the implementation of an integrated project to develop and reshape the investment zone and duty-free shopping area in Terminal Four (T4) as per the latest international standards for airport operations and passenger service. Reliable sources informed the newspaper that this radical change complies with the directive of DGCA President Eng. Sheikh Hamoud Al-Sabah, who prioritizes the development of airport facilities to be on par with international airports in terms of form, content, and services provided, under the requirements of international civil aviation organizations.

Sources said the DGCA stressed the need for T4 to become an ideal environment that meets the aspirations of travelers, especially during peak travel seasons. Sources pointed out this will make the airport not just a transit station, but an integrated destination offering world-class commercial and investment services. Sources revealed the directorate has launched dozens of investment tenders aimed at attracting major international and local companies to contribute to enriching the investment environment at the airport. Sources believe this will support the State budget through the revenues generated by these partnerships.

By Mohammad Al-Enezi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff 

A person stands near an electronic stock board, left top, showing Japan’s Nikkei index at a securities firm on July 22, in Tokyo. The traffic signs read: No Crossing. (AP)

BANGKOK, July 22, (AP): World shares were mixed on Tuesday after U.S. stock indexes inched to more records at the start of a week of profit updates from big U.S. companies. Germany’s DAX lost 0.5% to 24,186.14 and the CAC 40 in Paris gave up 0.4% to 7,768.46. Britain’s FTSE 100 edged 0.1% lower, to 9,009.34. The futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were virtually unchanged.

In Asian trading, Japan’s benchmark surged and then fell back as it reopened from a holiday Monday following the ruling coalition’s loss of its upper house majority in Sunday’s election. The Nikkei 225 shed 0.1% to 39,774.92. Analysts said the market initially climbed as investors were relieved that Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba vowed to stay in office despite the setback

. But the election’s outcome has added to political uncertainty and left his government without the heft needed to push through legislation. A breakthrough in trade talks with the US might win Ishiba a reprieve, but so far there’s been scant sign of progress in negotiating away the threat of higher tariffs on Japan’s exports to the US beginning Aug 1.

“Relief may be fleeting. Ishiba’s claim to leadership now rests on political duct tape, and history isn’t on his side. The last three LDP leaders who lost the upper house didn’t last two months,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary. Elsewhere, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.4% to 25,082.78, while the Shanghai Composite index advanced 0.6% to 3,581.86.

South Korea’s Kospi sank 1.3% to 3,169.94, with investors concerned over the Aug. 1 deadline for making a deal with U.S. President Donald Trump or facing 25% tariffs on all the country’s exports to the US. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.1% to 8,677.20.

India’s Sensex gained 0.1%, while In Thailand, the SET sank 1.1% after the government named Vitai Ratanakorn as the new future governor of the central bank. He is viewed as likely to be less independent than the current governor, raising concerns about the bank’s independence, analysts said. Vitai will replace Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, when his term as governor ends in September.