KUWAIT CITY, July 17: The total amount for which the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy obtained conditional approval from the State Audit Bureau (SAB) to contract for the import of electricity from the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) reached KD169.126 million over nine months — from April to December.

According to reliable sources, the ministry got approval for the import in April, amounting to KD2.641 million, two approvals in May the first for KD1.756 million and the second for KD3.348 million, in addition to an approval from June until December for KD161.381 million. Sources indicated that the energy import is through the coordinated efforts of the ministry and GCCIA to support the grid, maintain the stability of the electrical system during summer, and avoid resorting to scheduled power outages as much as possible, given the increased loads resulting from high temperatures and increased consumption rates in summer.

Sources disclosed that the ministry utilized the GCCIA as one of the solutions to address the energy crisis until production rates increase and new projects are implemented shortly. Sources said these projects include the installation of gas turbine units operating on a combined cycle system to increase power production at Al-Subiya power station by 900 megawatts, indicating the ministry is racing against time to complete the fourth phase that includes the tender, award, contracting, and implementation procedures.

By Mohammad Ghanem
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

KUWAIT CITY, July 17: Boursa Kuwait finished Thursday’s trading session in positive territory, with the general index climbing 70.42 points, or 0.83 percent, to settle at 8,598.42. Trading remained robust, as 819.3 million shares were exchanged across 40,798 cash transactions, generating a turnover of 136.7 million Kuwaiti dinars (approximately $447.1 million). The Main Market Index advanced 52.87 points, or 0.71 percent, to close at 7,452.38, supported by a brisk trading volume of 670.1 million shares via 31,178 transactions and a traded value of 80.2 million dinars (around $262.3 million).

Meanwhile, the Premier Market Index saw an increase of 78.28 points, or 0.85 percent, closing at 9,309.26. The segment recorded a trading volume of 149.1 million shares through 9,620 transactions, with a turnover of 56.4 million dinars (about $184.5 million). In parallel, the Main 50 Index rose 27.92 points, or 0.38 percent, to stand at 7,452.03. A total of 377.7 million shares changed hands through 14,679 cash transactions totaling 44 million dinars (approximately $143.9 million).(KUNA)

Tarek Sultan, Agility Global Chairman

CAIRO. July 16: UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Kuwait, signed an agreement with Agility Global to support refugee education in Egypt.

With the agreement, Agility Global’s contribution will support UNHCR’s initiative to enable more than 2,000 refugee students in Egypt to access education during the academic year 2025-2026 by enabling them to cover the costs of enrollment fees and other educational expenses. This support will ultimately enhance the refugees’ personal development, community integration, social cohesion, and future opportunities.

“This partnership with Agility Global represents more than just financial support. It is an act of solidarity at a time when global displacement has reached a staggering 122.1 million forcibly displaced people,” said Nisreen Rubaian, UNHCR’s Representative in Kuwait. “The private sector has a vital role to play in transforming lives. Our strategic partnership with Agility Global’s is a solid example of how meaningful partnerships can unlock opportunities for the most vulnerable people, especially through education. Together, we are turning the ‘whole-of-society’ approach into a powerful reality.”

On his part, Agility Global Chairman, Tarek Sultan said: “Agility Global’s contribution aims to address the challenges and support the displaced families impacted by conflict and persecution by facilitating the education of their children. We hope that we can help refugee students build a better future and empower them by gaining the knowledge and the skills needed to thrive and become positive contributors in the society that’s hosting them. This will also allow them to contribute to rebuilding their home countries when they return in safety and dignity.”

Egypt is a transit and destination country for refugees and asylum-seekers. Since the start of the Sudan conflict in April 2023, a large influx of Sudanese refugees has arrived in Egypt seeking safety (more than 1,200,000 according to the Government of Egypt). As of 4 February 2025, some 905,000 individuals (70% Sudanese; 16% Syrians; 5% South Sudanese, 4% Eritreans) are registered with UNHCR in Egypt – more than triple the number registered at the start of the Sudan crisis. Of them, 572,000 are new arrivals from Sudan (three quarters are women and children).

Agility has been a long-standing partner of UNHCR, supporting programs in Lebanon, Jordan, Malaysia, Turkey, Ukraine and Uganda over the past 16 years.