KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN) has seized and destroyed 10 tons of spoiled shrimp and fish that were en route to Souq Sharq’s fish market, in the latest enforcement move to protect consumers. Inspectors intercepted four refrigerated trucks during a surprise early-morning inspection near the market and determined the entire shipment was unfit for human consumption. “As part of our ongoing efforts to protect public health and ensure food safety, the spoiled seafood was immediately confiscated and destroyed,” said Ali Al-Kandari, Director of the Capital Governorate Inspection Department. “Violations were recorded, and the case has been referred to the Public Prosecution.”

KUWAIT: Public Authority for Food and Nutrition officials examine spoiled fish and shrimp after intercepting four refrigerated trucks near the Souq Sharq fish market. — KUNA photos

Al-Kandari emphasized that the authority will continue cracking down on food fraud and take firm action against anyone endangering consumer health. “We will strike with an iron fist at anyone who attempts to profit from selling expired or unsafe food,” he said.

The case highlights a recurring issue that has plagued Kuwait’s seafood sector for over a decade. Officials in the country’s fish industry have long warned of large quantities of spoiled fish being passed for fresh catch. Recent enforcement actions suggest the problem remains persistent. Last year, PAFN closed seven stalls at Souq Sharq for selling spoiled seafood and violating health codes. A separate inspection at Souq Al-Mubarakiya led to the destruction of 90 kilograms of bad fish and 31 citations, including for poor hygiene, lack of health certificates and selling adulterated food.

In a statement, Abdullah Al-Suraheed, President of the Kuwait Fishermen’s Union, praised the role of the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition in protecting the public from spoiled food. He stressed the importance of exposing those who harm public health and distribute unsafe products without a conscience, driven solely by profit at the expense of citizens’ well-being. Officials say the latest operation is part of a nationwide inspection campaign ordered by the Cabinet to tighten food security and ensure that all products in the market meet health and safety standards. Al-Kandari confirmed that inspections will continue across all six governorates. “We are working around the clock to ensure that no spoiled or fraudulent food reaches people’s homes,” he said. — Agencies

KUWAIT: Marine rescuers at the Kuwait Fire Force (KFF) embody a living example of selflessness and dedication, operating around the clock in a high-risk environment that demands constant alertness, courage and readiness to safeguard lives at sea, said Brigadier Bader Al-Kaddam, Director of the Fire and Marine Rescue Department. Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Saturday, Al-Kaddam highlighted the significant advancements made by the KFF’s Marine Rescue Department since its establishment in 1998, noting its critical role in responding to maritime emergencies, preserving lives, and protecting the marine environment.

Director of the Marine Fire Department in the General Fire Force, Brigadier Badr Al-Kadm

Marine rescue officers and personnel.

“Marine rescue missions are among the most dangerous operations, requiring swift, high-stakes decision-making in unpredictable and unstable conditions,” he said, emphasizing the importance of specialized training and technical skill for rescue personnel. Beyond emergency response, Al-Kaddam noted that marine teams actively promote public safety by educating seafarers about swimming in designated safe zones, adhering to safety instructions, and avoiding maritime risks, particularly in unstable weather.

He affirmed that the department’s rescue teams are equipped with advanced tools, including high-speed boats and modern life-saving equipment, allowing them to respond efficiently to emergencies such as drownings, ship fires, and lost persons at sea. Marine rescue efforts have proven instrumental in reducing the rate of maritime accidents through a combination of rapid response, public awareness, and persistent monitoring and readiness, he added. Al-Kaddam also shed light on the department’s coordination with other relevant agencies, such as the Coast Guard and emergency medical services. “Joint operations are managed through a unified command center where information is relayed instantly, and roles are assigned based on the nature of each incident,” he explained.

Touching on seasonal challenges, Al-Kaddam said the summer period poses increased risks due to the surge in beachgoers, requiring heightened vigilance and intensive efforts from rescue teams. He called on the public to cooperate with marine authorities by following safety protocols and respecting instructions. He revealed that from January 1 to July 14, the Marine Fire Department responded to a total of 813 incidents, ranging from mechanical failures and fires to search-and-rescue operations. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s sovereign wealth fund ranks among the top 10 largest in the world, holding an estimated $1.029 trillion in assets — about 7.2 percent of the total global sovereign wealth fund value, according to a July report by the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (SWFI), cited in Al-Shall Consulting’s latest weekly economic report.

The global total of sovereign wealth fund (SWF) assets now stands at an estimated $14.3 trillion, with the top 10 funds controlling a dominant 69.4 percent share — or nearly $9.93 trillion. Kuwait’s share of the top 10 alone accounts for 10.4 percent.

The SWFI list includes two Chinese and two Singaporean funds, which, if combined, would effectively mean the top 10 represents the eight largest global players. China leads the ranking with a combined sovereign wealth fund value of $2.422 trillion, followed by Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global at $1.739 trillion. Singapore’s two funds — GIC and Temasek — jointly hold $1.315 trillion. The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority comes next with $1.058 trillion.

Kuwait’s position at fifth place is just ahead of Saudi Arabia, whose Public Investment Fund is valued at $941 billion. Qatar ranks lower on the list with its fund valued at $526 billion. Notably, the UAE has a total of seven funds, but the report focuses only on individual entities and excludes aggregated figures.

Al-Shall emphasized that the figures “are not necessarily precise,” noting that “other institutions, such as credit rating agencies, offer alternative estimates, often lower of these fund valuations.”

Beyond just size, sovereign wealth funds play different roles depending on the countries they represent. Norway’s fund is globally recognized for its transparency and clear mission: to replace the country’s oil and gas revenues with a sustainable, income-generating asset. All its policies and activities are published and updated daily.

In contrast, China’s funds serve broader economic and geopolitical goals. “They act as emergency reserves to stabilize the economy in times of crisis, but more importantly, they function as tools to expand China’s Belt and Road Initiative across the widest possible global footprint,” the report noted.

Kuwait’s wealth fund, Al-Shall argued, should ideally serve two core objectives: “Contributing to the diversification of the country’s GDP drivers by identifying and investing in targeted sectors of goods and services production,” and “developing a sustainable income stream from its investments to support the restructuring and reclassification of public revenue sources.”

This approach, the report added, “entails assuming a measured level of risk and targeting a certain percentage of return on investment,” which can help the country gradually reduce its heavy reliance on oil revenues — a commodity becoming “increasingly less competitive.”