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US Ambassador welcomes Trump’s Gulf visit, highlights strong US-Kuwait food security ties

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KUWAIT: US Ambassador to Kuwait Karen Sasahara on Tuesday welcomed the visit of former US President Donald Trump to the Gulf region, describing it as a continuation of his longstanding relationships with Gulf leaders. “We are pleased with President Trump’s visit to the region. He has had deep-rooted relationships with Gulf leaders since his first term,” she said.

Her remarks came on the sidelines of the Fourth Annual Food Safety and Nutrition Summit, jointly organized by the US Department of Agriculture, the Ministry of Health, the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition and the US Embassy. The two-day summit is being held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with broad participation from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Ambassador Sasahara said Trump’s renewed engagement with Gulf partners reflects the strength of ongoing bilateral and regional dialogue. “President Trump is now resuming those relations through very important discussions on bilateral and regional matters. We are looking forward to the progress these talks will achieve,” she added.

The ambassador emphasized the robust economic ties between the United States and Kuwait, particularly in the field of agriculture. She noted that bilateral trade in agricultural goods reached $275 million in 2024, while total US agricultural exports to the GCC amounted to $3.6 billion. “Our embassy team has worked closely with Kuwaiti government institutions and local farmers to address food security challenges and explore how US technologies can contribute to sustainable solutions,” she said. Sasahara described agriculture and food not only as economic sectors, but also as bridges that bring nations together. She highlighted the summit’s goal of enhancing cooperation and exchanging best practices in food safety and nutrition.

“The United States exported more than $191 billion in agricultural products last year,” she said, pointing to Washington’s leadership in agricultural innovation and its call for long-term investments in biotechnology, improved seeds, and fertilizers. She also noted that the US and GCC share common public health concerns, particularly the rise in obesity and chronic diseases. “We are committed to working with our regional partners to raise nutrition standards and improve public health outcomes,” the ambassador said.

For his part, Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi underscored the critical importance of food safety and nutrition in achieving sustainable development. “Ensuring access to safe and adequate food and advancing nutrition systems are fundamental pillars for sustainable progress,” he said in his opening remarks. Dr Al-Awadhi stressed that Kuwait remains committed to aligning its efforts with the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those targeting hunger eradication and sustainable agriculture. He cited Kuwait’s National Food Security Strategy, enhanced import regulations, and updated guidelines for school canteens as examples of recent initiatives.

Citing World Health Organization (WHO) data, the minister warned of the human toll of unsafe food, noting that more than 600 million people suffer from foodborne illnesses annually, leading to over 420,000 deaths — including 125,000 children under the age of five. “These figures highlight the urgent need to strengthen food safety systems and raise awareness, particularly to protect vulnerable groups like children,” he said. He also addressed the global rise in obesity, pointing to WHO statistics indicating that over one billion people are currently obese. “Childhood obesity rates have quadrupled since 1990, and in 2024, over 15 million children under five were classified as overweight,” he said.

Dr Al-Awadhi called for increased investment in food inspection and laboratory capabilities across the region, and praised international partnerships, particularly with the United States and UN agencies, in developing resilient food safety systems. The summit aims to serve as a platform for regional and international stakeholders to collaborate on policy, innovation, and public health approaches that enhance food security and nutrition outcomes across the Gulf. — KUNA

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Crown Prince receives Egyptian Deputy PM

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KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received on Tuesday at Bayan Palace the Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry, Lieutenant General Kamel Abdulhadi Al-Wazir, and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of their official visit to the country. The meeting was attended by Kuwait’s Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mashaan and Egypt’s Ambassador to Kuwait Osama Shaltout.– KUNA photos

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Workshop discusses health competency framework

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KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health (MoH) on Monday inaugurated a regional workshop titled “Competency Framework”, aimed at reviewing the preliminary draft of a competency framework for public health professionals. The three-day workshop is organized by the Gulf Center for Disease Control in cooperation with the Gulf Health Council and the Kuwait Center for Disease Prevention and Control (KCDC).

In his opening remarks, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health at the Ministry, Dr Munther Al-Hasawi, welcomed a distinguished group of public health leaders and specialists from GCC countries, emphasizing the workshop’s importance in light of the increasing need to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the public health workforce. Al-Hasawi stressed the critical role of investing in human capital through training, capacity building, and well-structured competency frameworks grounded in scientific and practical methodologies. He noted that public health competency goes beyond technical expertise, encompassing key administrative and interpersonal skills such as leadership, teamwork, and effective communication.

“Competency in public health is the ability to deliver appropriate, effective services to communities while achieving optimal outcomes,” Al-Hasawi said. “It includes service delivery, resource management, community engagement, and cross-sectoral cooperation.” Chairing the workshop, Dr Mohammed Al-Saeedan, Head of the Emergency Department – Public Health at KCDC, told reporters that the session aims to discuss and refine the initial draft of the framework with input from regional decision-makers and experts. The goal, he said, is to develop a comprehensive guide to strengthen the capabilities of the health workforce across GCC countries.

“Competency frameworks contribute to improving public health, increasing life expectancy, reducing the overall health burden, and advancing sustainable development,” Al-Saeedan explained. “Healthy individuals are more productive and better able to contribute to society.” He emphasized the importance of continuously updating public health guidelines and competency standards to build professional readiness and effectively address evolving health challenges. “Guidelines serve as essential tools in disease prevention and health promotion, guiding individuals and communities in making informed health choices that enhance quality of life,” he said.

Al-Saeedan noted that global shifts and the rising prevalence of diseases demand heightened preparedness and response capabilities. “As the world increasingly prioritizes prevention over treatment, public health professionals must be equipped with the highest level of skill and knowledge to manage emergencies and implement effective interventions,” he added. The workshop is expected to result in key recommendations that will shape a unified GCC approach to public health competency development and workforce excellence. — KUNA

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The hidden drivers behind high prices in Kuwait

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Although Kuwait was ranked earlier this year as the second least expensive Gulf country in the 2025 World Cost of Living Index, many residents feel that the prices of certain goods or services remain disproportionately high compared to other countries. While essential services — such as electricity, water, and fuel — are heavily subsidized and therefore inexpensive, other aspects of life, including housing, entertainment, and branded products, often carry a much steeper cost.

Therefore, according to economic expert Dr. Amer Al Tamimi, the root of the issue lies not in government policy, but in people’s behavior — whether it’s business owners inflating prices or consumers adopting high-cost lifestyles. Each year the state allocates no less than KD 6 billion in subsidies for electricity, water, fuel, and even certain food items. “In fact, the government has made life remarkably affordable for citizens — perhaps even too affordable.” But while basic goods may be inexpensive, the same cannot be said for luxury and lifestyle products. According to Al Tamimi, the high standard of living and strong purchasing power among Kuwait’s resident’s fuels intense demand for premium items — from cars and watches to high-end services and entertainment.

“These items might be cheaper elsewhere, but in Kuwait, the appetite for luxury pushes prices higher,” he explained. Even mid-range categories, such as transportation and clothing, are considered expensive when compared to regional or global averages. Social behavior plays a significant role in shaping price dynamics. “Some individuals, despite earning modest incomes, make choices driven by appearances,” said Al Tamimi. “Someone earning KD 1,000 might buy a car with KD 500 monthly installments just to keep up an image.”

This desire to showcase wealth creates an artificial demand for high-end goods and services. As demand rises, so do prices, creating a feedback loop that affects everything from café menus to car dealerships. “There’s a culture of excessive consumption. People need to rethink their habits, as rational consumption can lead to lower prices overall,” he suggested. This culture of overspending is reflected in many lifestyle choices. “I am surprised to see people pay for coffee delivery when they can simply an easily make it at home,” said Altamimi.

While some spending habits may be avoidable, others — like housing — are fundamental and affect nearly everyone. Al Tamimi pointed to Kuwait’s real estate market as one of the most significant contributors to the high cost of living, citing the soaring price of land. “Land alone accounts for around 70 to 75 percent of the total cost of any building,” he explained. “This is very different from many other countries, where land is more affordable and makes up a smaller portion of overall costs.” This imbalance has driven up both property prices and rent, placing a heavy burden on households and businesses alike. For many residents, housing expenses consume a large share of their monthly income.

Another key issue, Al Tamimi argued, is the lack of competition in certain markets. “Some goods are effectively monopolized by one, two, or three importers,” he noted. This concentration of market power gives a small number of players the ability to set prices with little competitive pressure. To address this, he urged efforts to open up the market. “Breaking these monopolies and encouraging more entrepreneurs to enter different sectors could help,” he said. “We need to streamline business procedures and reduce bureaucratic hurdles that currently discourage new players. In many cases, we only have a handful of stores selling certain products. More competition will ultimately benefit the consumer.”

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