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Egypt implements pre-departure training program for expatriates

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KUWAIT: In a step aimed at better preparing Egyptian expatriates for the labor market in Kuwait, Egypt is implementing a pre-departure training program for workers traveling to the country. “Each worker will undergo a three-month training program in Egypt, where they will be introduced to their job responsibilities and Kuwait’s labor regulations — ensuring they are not exposed to violations stemming from a lack of legal awareness,” said Egyptian Ambassador to Kuwait Osama Shaltout.

The announcement came on the sidelines of a reception hosted by the Egyptian Embassy on Thursday, marking the 73rd anniversary of the July 23 Revolution. Shaltout noted that the plan came as part of the latest meeting between the Egyptian Embassy and Kuwait’s Public Authority of Manpower, aiming to strengthen bilateral coordination on labor issues and ensure better outcomes for Egyptian workers in Kuwait. To support this effort, he shared that 85 vocational training centers have been established across Egypt.

Bidding farewell

The event also served as a farewell reception for Ambassador Shaltout, who is concluding his four-year diplomatic mission in Kuwait. The gathering was attended by a number of dignitaries, diplomats, and senior Kuwaiti officials, including Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Affairs Abdullatif Al-Meshari.

Reflecting on his time in Kuwait, Shaltout described the bilateral relationship as one marked by deep historical ties and close cooperation. “Kuwait has always opened its arms to Egypt, and I have personally witnessed a spirit of mutual cooperation and brotherhood at every level. My mission here has been easy because of the exceptional relationship between our leaders and peoples – and difficult because it’s a challenge to add something new to such strong ties. Yet, by the grace of God, we’ve made important progress together.”

Fourth-largest foreign investor

The ambassador highlighted the strength of economic ties, noting that bilateral trade exceeds $3 billion annually, and Kuwaiti investments in Egypt have surpassed $20 billion. This makes Kuwait the fourth-largest foreign investor in Egypt and third among Arab countries. He added that new investment initiatives and official visits are in the works, further strengthening the partnership. As part of ongoing efforts to facilitate travel and economic exchange, Shaltout also pointed to the availability of a five-year multiple-entry electronic visa to Egypt for citizens around the world, including Kuwaitis.

“This is a significant step toward openness and facilitating travel for both tourism and business,” he said, noting that applications can be submitted online or through consular services. Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Shaltout paid tribute to the enduring cultural and social bonds between Egypt and Kuwait, especially in the fields of tourism and education.

Electronic visa

“Egypt has always been a second home for our Kuwaiti brothers and sisters. We consider them part of our extended family whenever they visit.” He also congratulated recent high school graduates in Kuwait, commending their dedication and the role of families and educators in their success. “Their achievements are the result of determination, dedicated teachers, supportive families, and of course a strong academic system,” he said. As a parting message, he extended a warm invitation to explore Egypt’s rich heritage – particularly the much-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum. “This magnificent cultural landmark – the largest in the world dedicated to a single civilization – reflects Egypt’s unique ability to harmonize heritage and modernity. It stands as a powerful testament to Egypt’s civilizational role and cultural message to the world.”

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Ministry supports initiatives aimed at helping the disabled

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KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah reaffirmed on Wednesday her commitment to supporting initiatives and programs aimed at improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities and ensuring their full inclusion in society. In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) following her meeting with United Nations Secretary-General’s Representative and Resident Coordinator in Kuwait Ghada Al-Taher and President of Kuwait College of Science and Technology Dr Khaled Al-Beqaeen, the minister emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation to advance social development and promote inclusive services.

KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwaila with the UN Secretary-General’s Representative and Resident Coordinator in Kuwait Ghada Al-Taher and President of Kuwait College of Science and Technology Dr. Khaled Al-Beqaeen.- KUNA photos

KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwaila with the UN Secretary-General’s Representative and Resident Coordinator in Kuwait Ghada Al-Taher and President of Kuwait College of Science and Technology Dr. Khaled Al-Beqaeen.- KUNA photos

The meeting discussed enhancing partnerships between the ministry, the college, and the UN office in areas related to social development and collaborative projects. Discussions also touched on the Ministry’s sponsorship of the Second International Technology Conference and Forum for People with Special Needs, which aims to leverage innovation in support of accessibility and empowerment.

Dr Al-Huwailah added that the parties also explored potential coordination on the sidelines of the upcoming 11th Ministerial Conference of the Committee of Ministers of Social Affairs and Development of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), scheduled to take place in Kuwait in September. She reiterated the ministry’s commitment to fostering joint action that advances the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities and supports broader regional development goals. — KUNA

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Lammy’s visit underscores deep friendship

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KUWAIT: The United Kingdom’s commitment to its longstanding friendship with Kuwait was reaffirmed this week during an official visit by the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development affairs the Rt Hon David Lammy MP, who was honored to meet with senior Kuwaiti leadership for the 2025 UK-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue.

The UK Foreign Secretary was received by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al – Hamad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya. Discussions reflected the strength of the historic relationship between Kuwait and the United Kingdom that spans over 250 years and touched on a wide range of shared interests including regional affairs, defense cooperation, trade and investment and international development partnerships.

As part of the visit, two MoUs were signed between the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, on providing joint emergency humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations affected by conflicts in Somalia and Sudan. Both parties will provide a total contribution of five million dollars to support ICRC’s humanitarian work in Somalia and a total of 10 million dollars to support UNICEF’s work in sustaining vital primary healthcare, nutrition and child protection services in Sudan.

These agreements represent an important step in continuing to build the UK-Kuwait international development partnership following the success of the first joint project in September 2024, which provided aid to Gaza and Yemen. The visit also included a meeting with Minister of Finance & Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment, Noura Al-Fassam, where discussions focused on bilateral trade now totaling £6.1 billion per year & investment, advancements on UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement negotiations and UK’s interest in Kuwait’s Vision 2035.

During the visit, the Foreign Secretary visited the Commercial Bank of Kuwait to meet with Chairman Sheikh Ahmad Duaij Jaber Al-Sabah and one of several British Kuwaiti joint venture businesses contributing to Kuwait’s economic development – Kuwait British Renewables. The meeting underlined the UK’s ongoing commitment to supporting private sector collaboration, knowledge exchange and innovation between the two countries. A special meeting was also held with young Kuwaiti diplomats and professionals at Saud Al Nasser Al Sabah Kuwait Diplomatic Institute hosted by Deputy Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The Foreign Secretary commended their passion, talent and global outlook, and welcomed their role in shaping the future of Kuwait-UK relations.

The UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development affairs, Rt Hon David Lammy MP, commented on the bilateral relationship stating: “Kuwait and the United Kingdom have an enduring, close, deep friendship bounded by people-to-people and strong cultural links, a strong defense and security partnership, we’ve been trading for over 250 years and our first bilateral relations go back to 1899 of course supplemented by the relationship between our two royal families. I am in Kuwait to conduct a strategic dialogue, an important strategic dialogue that sets up the next era of our relations. There’s more we can do on trade, and business, and investment, there’s more that we can do on security and defense at this challenging time for global security and peace particularly here in the Middle East.” Reflecting on the visit, British Ambassador Belinda Lewis, stated: “This visit marks another chapter in over 125 years of close friendship between Kuwait and the United Kingdom. It comes at a time of deepening cooperation across numerous sectors including trade, humanitarian development and cultural exchange. The British Embassy in Kuwait looks forward to building on the momentum of this important visit and continuing to work in partnership with Kuwaiti institutions for the benefit of both our peoples.”

Head of ICRC GCC Regional Delegation, Mamadou Sow stated: “This joint commitment by the Kuwait Fund and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office sends a strong signal of solidarity with the people of Somalia. With their support, we’re able to deliver essential health and water services in areas where needs are urgent and often invisible. It’s a testament to the power of principled humanitarian action and to the leadership of Kuwait and the UK in placing humanity at the heart of international cooperation.”

UNICEF Gulf Area Office Representative, Eltayeb Adam noted: “This generous joint contribution from the UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office and the Kuwait Fund comes at a critical time for children in Sudan. It is more than financial support; it is a lifeline. This partnership shows what’s possible when long-standing partners unite with a shared purpose: to protect children’s rights, restore essential services, and bring hope to those affected by crisis. UNICEF deeply values this growing humanitarian collaboration, which is helping build a more resilient future for Sudan’s most vulnerable children.”

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Uzbekistan Embassy promotes tourism, announces visa-free entry for Kuwaitis

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KUWAIT: The Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan held “Uzbekistan – The Pearl of the Silk Road”, on Tuesday. The Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Kuwait Ayubkhon Yunusov highlighted the rich and diverse tourism potential of his country, inviting Kuwaiti and Gulf travelers to explore its cultural and natural treasures. During the event, the ambassador announced the signing of an executive tourism cooperation program for the period 2025–2027, reflecting a mutual commitment to further developing this vital sector. He stated “We are pleased to share that starting from June 2025; Kuwaiti citizens will be allowed visa-free entry to Uzbekistan for up to 30 days. This is a significant step towards facilitating travel and tourism between our two countries.”

The Ambassador emphasized the progress made in bilateral relations, saying “Uzbekistan and Kuwait have enjoyed 31 years of fruitful cooperation and friendship. Our ties have witnessed remarkable development thanks to the mutual understanding and close dialogue between our leaderships.” Concluding his remarks, the Ambassador extended an open invitation “We warmly invite you to visit Uzbekistan, to experience its historical wonders, breathtaking nature, and the renowned hospitality of our people. You are always welcome.”

On the sidelines of the event, Umid Shadiev, Chairman of the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan, who paid a visit with a delegation from Uzbekistan, stated that his visit to Kuwait aimed to deepen ties with local tourism entities and explore new avenues for collaboration. “The Kuwait Tourism Authority plays a pivotal role within the Middle East tourism framework. We are here with a delegation of around ten Uzbek tourism companies to build partnerships and promote our destination,” he said.

Shadiev revealed that a national strategic tourism development plan for 2025–2026 has been issued and is now being translated into action plans tailored to Gulf markets, adding “In the coming weeks, we will launch a package of new tourism initiatives, including investment incentives and partnerships with key players in the region’s tourism industry.” Highlighting Uzbekistan’s tourism appeal, Shadiev noted “Uzbekistan is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, offering a unique blend of mountain adventures, rich history and cultural depth.

Kuwaitis are natural explorers, and we welcome them to experience something truly special.” He also extended a call to Kuwaiti investors “The Uzbek government offers direct financial support of up to $5,000 per hotel room constructed, meaning a 100-room hotel can receive up to $500,000 in incentives. We see great potential for Kuwaiti investment in our tourism infrastructure.” Despite growing interest from the Gulf, he acknowledged that only about 500 Kuwaiti tourists had visited Uzbekistan so far, stressing the importance of this promotional event in building sustainable partnerships.

Commenting on bilateral ties, he added “The historic visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Kuwait last February marked a turning point in our relations. It resulted in the signing of several agreements in tourism, investment, and cultural exchange including an MoU between the Uzbek Tourism Committee and Kuwait’s National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters.” For his part, Assistant Undersecretary for the Tourism Sector of the Ministry of Information and Culture of the State of Kuwait, Osamah Al-Mekhyal, emphasized that hosting the event reflects the strong and growing ties between the two countries.

He stated, “This gathering underscores our shared desire to open new horizons of cooperation in tourism, which will serve the mutual interests of our peoples and enhance cultural and economic exchange.” Al-Mekhyal described Uzbekistan as a promising tourism destination, rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, with a unique oriental cuisine, adding “This event is a valuable opportunity to explore the country’s vibrant tourism diversity and foster new partnerships for future collaboration.”

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