KUWAIT: Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi discussed on Thursday with Czech Ambassador to Kuwait Juraj Khmel ways to consolidate bilateral cooperation and benefit from Czech expertise in developing medical services and improving the quality of healthcare in various specialties.

This came in a press statement issued by the ministry after Minister Al-Awadhi received Ambassador Khmel, accompanied by Deputy Head of Mission Anna Otipokova, and in the presence of Assistant Undersecretary for Foreign Health Services Dr Hisham Kalender. This is within the framework of the ministry’s efforts to enhance international cooperation and develop the health sector in the State of Kuwait.

The Czech Ambassador, according to the statement, expressed his appreciation for the Ministry of Health’s efforts in developing the health sector, praising the level of openness and cooperation provided by Kuwait to achieve a sustainable and integrated health system.

Dr Kalender said, according to the statement, that the ministry is working to build strategic partnerships with prestigious international bodies, explaining that this meeting comes within the framework of the ministry’s vision to enhance innovation and attract advanced health solutions. The statement said that during the meeting, the possibilities of opening new channels for joint health coordination, exchanging delegations, and cooperation in areas of interest were discussed. — KUNA

KUWAIT: President of the Maldives Mohammad Moaz and Acting Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) Waleed Al-Bahar discussed on Saturday means of boosting collaboration and reviewed joint projects in a way that contributes to backing sustainable development efforts in the Maldives.

During the meeting held in the Maldives’ capital, Male, Moaz expressed much gratitude and appreciation to Kuwait, lauding the fund’s key role since its cooperation with his country in 1976, according to a statement by the fund.

He pointed out that the Fund’s contributions included the construction of the Maldives International Airport, in addition to a number of drinking water projects and support for hospitals in remote islands. The statement noted that this meeting coincides with the Maldives’ celebrations of its independence anniversary, as well as the opening of the expansion project of Velana International Airport in the capital, Male, under the patronage and presence of President Moez. The project is financed by the KFAED as part of its efforts to support the vital transportation sector. — KUNA

 KUWAIT: Director General of Kuwait Municipality Manal Al-Asfour affirmed that the new amendments to the special conditions and specifications issued recently are limited to the buildings of the free zone. Al-Asfour explained in a press statement that what was published in some newspapers about the ministerial decision regarding the conditions and specifications for service sector buildings (16) (formerly the free zone) does not include the Shuwaikh and Al-Rai areas.

She explained that the most prominent thing included in the conditions is allowing the establishment of hotels at a rate of 150 percent of the area of the service plot, which is the same percentages previously decided, and the possibility of it containing more than one basement.

Manal Al-Asfour

Mohammed Al-Mutairi

Director of the Capital Municipality branch and Head of the Committee for Studying and Reviewing Building Regulations Muhammad Al-Mutairi said that the former free zone was transferred to the Public Authority for Industry and its name was changed to the service sector (16).  Al-Mutairi added that the area has become multi-service and has been attached to the Shuwaikh and Al-Rai service, craft, and commercial area regulations, indicating that the new ministerial decision included amendments to the building regulations that pertain to sector (16) only and do not include the rest of the sectors in Shuwaikh and Al-Rai.

He pointed out that the new amendments included a building percentage not exceeding 130 percent, which is the same building percentage previously decided, provided that it is distributed at most over three floors (ground, mezzanine, and first), and that the areas of shops and showrooms are not less than 100 square meters on the ground, mezzanine, and basement.

He pointed out that the office space is not less than 150 square meters on the ground floor and mezzanine, and the percentage of restaurants (cafes) was increased from 5 to 10 percent, and the use of warehouses in the basement was added, and all plots are required to provide parking spaces within the property boundaries.

Minister of State for Municipal Affairs Abdul Latif Al-Mishari recently issued a decision regarding the requirements and specifications for private service sector buildings (16) in the Shuwaikh and Al-Rai service, craft, and commercial area. The decision specified the activities permitted for the establishment of commercial units in the sector and permitted for their exploitation, which are (administrative offices, shops, exhibitions, banking services, branches of commercial banks, a health club, a hotel, and complementary activities to support the area, warehouses. – KUNA