Kuwaiti Fawaz Al-Mudhaf appointed director of External Affairs at US-Arab Chamber of Commerce

WASHINGTON, Sept 18:  The US-Arab Chamber of Commerce has appointed Kuwaiti national Fawaz Al-Mudhaf as its new Director of External Affairs, in a strategic move aimed at deepening US-Arab economic ties and empowering emerging regional talent.

The announcement, made on Wednesday, reflects the Chamber’s broader vision to enhance cross-border cooperation and nurture young leaders capable of navigating the evolving landscape of global trade and diplomacy.

“This appointment embodies the Chamber’s commitment to developing regional talent that contributes to and enhances cross-border cooperation,” the Chamber stated in a press release. It added that the selection of Al-Mudhaf aligns with the organization’s goal of equipping emerging leaders to adapt to rapid transformations in US-Arab economic and diplomatic relations.

Al-Mudhaf is expected to spearhead the Chamber’s external affairs strategy, focusing on strengthening relations with decision-makers, global companies, and major institutions in both the United States and the Arab world. His leadership will be crucial at a time of shifting global alliances, new trade priorities, and the increasing need for international collaboration.

Expressing gratitude for the appointment, Al-Mudhaf said the role is “both an honor and a responsibility.” He emphasized that the US-Arab Chamber of Commerce is “more than just a business platform,” calling it “a trusted forum for dialogue, mutual respect, and opportunities for joint cooperation that strengthen ties between peoples.”

He affirmed his commitment to the Chamber’s mission, pledging to serve “with all sincerity” and to help consolidate US-Arab partnerships at a time when, he noted, “international communication has become more urgent than ever.”

Chamber President and CEO David Hamod praised Al-Mudhaf’s appointment, stating, “We are extremely proud of Fawaz, who is a fundamental pillar of the Chamber’s team. He is a fine example of a young Kuwaiti who is leaving an influential mark on the international scene.” Hamod added that Al-Mudhaf’s contributions are a “fundamental pillar in the Chamber’s success story.”

The US-Arab Chamber of Commerce, established over 50 years ago, is widely recognized as the oldest American organization dedicated to advancing US-Arab trade. It is often described as the “first commercial gateway” to the Middle East and North Africa for the United States.

As an independent, membership-based organization, the Chamber boasts over 50 members and partners and is the only American trade body officially recognized by both the League of Arab States and the Union of Arab Chambers. It continues to serve as a preeminent voice for American business interests in the Arab world, working to strengthen economic partnerships across the region.

KUWAIT CITY, Sep 16: Agility KSCP, a supply chain services, infrastructure and innovation company, has announced the successful conclusion of the 2025 edition of the Kuwait Codes program as part of its ongoing strategic partnership with CODED Academy.

Now in its fourth year, Kuwait Codes has established itself as a leading platform for developing tech and coding talent in Kuwait, providing free training in 2025 to more than 1,000 high school students in app, web, and game development, as well as cybersecurity.

During the closing ceremony, Agility KSCP recognized student achievements by presenting Agility’s award for the “Most Ready for Market Project” for Kuwait Codes 2025. The award was given to Salah Younes Ali, whose project stood out for its innovation and real-world potential.

Agility KSCP is committed to empowering and investing in youth development in Kuwait through strategic partnerships with leading non-profits that expand access to technical and vocational education. Its collaboration with CODED Academy stands as a strong example, with more than 4,500 young learners reached since the launch of the “Kuwait Codes” program in 2022, including 1,072 in 2025 alone, equipping them with essential coding and entrepreneurship skills.

Agility KSCP’s CSR program underscores the private sector’s critical role in advancing youth development and fostering innovation in Kuwait. This year, Agility KSCP aims to reach over 5,000 individuals nationwide through initiatives focused on education, technology, and entrepreneurship, building on two decades of partnerships that have already impacted more than 51,000 people across the country.

British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves looks on during a cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street, in London on Sept 9. (AP)

LONDON, Sept 17, (AP): Inflation in the UK held steady at 3.8% in the year to August, official figures showed Wednesday, a day before the Bank of England is widely expected to keep interest rates on hold. The Office for National Statistics found food and drink prices rose for the fifth month in a row, but airfares fell sharply after a big spike in July.

Though inflation remains nearly double the Bank of England’s target rate of 2%, most economists had anticipated a modest increase in August. Stubbornly high inflation has been one of the reasons why the Labour government’s poll ratings have fallen sharply since it came to power in July 2024. Treasury chief Rachel Reeves will be hoping inflation starts to drop down towards target, as many forecasters predict, in the year to come as it will relieve some of the cost-of-living pressures that are hurting households and undermining the government’s support.

“I know families are finding it tough and that for many the economy feels stuck,” she said after the figures were released. “That’s why I’m determined to bring costs down and support people who are facing higher bills.” Reeves’ economic plans will be in the spotlight over the coming weeks ahead of her annual budget on Nov 26, where she is widely expected to increase taxes again to bolster revenues and simultaneously introduce policies to ease the cost-of-living pressures.

Many critics blame Reeves personally for the increase inflation this year, saying her decision to increase taxes on businesses to plug a budget hole prompted firms to up prices. The inflation figures have cemented market expectations that the Bank of England will keep interest rates unchanged on Thursday. Since it started cutting borrowing rates in August 2024 after the unwinding of the previous spike in inflation in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the bank has done so in a gradual manner every three months.

When it cut its main rate to 4% in August, it was largely expected there would be no further reduction at the September meeting. If the bank were to continue to cut interest rates in the manner it has been doing so, the next meeting in November would see a further reduction. However, economists remain split as to whether another cut is forthcoming since inflation has proven to be stickier than anticipated earlier this year, partly because of relatively high wage increases.