KUWAIT: The Criminal Security Sector, represented by the General Department of Criminal Investigation – Anti-Counterfeiting and Forgery Department – has arrested a suspect involved in counterfeiting and circulating Kuwaiti banknotes of KD 20 denomination.

The case began after two complaints were filed at Khaitan Police Station, reporting the use of fake KD 20 notes. Following intensive investigations, detectives identified the suspect and arrested him after securing the necessary legal warrant. Upon his arrest, drug paraphernalia was found in his possession. He later confessed not only to the two reported incidents, but also to several similar cases across different governorates. The suspect admitted that he had been carrying out the counterfeiting operations himself, using equipment stored in his family chalet in Sabah Al-Ahmad Sea City, where large quantities of forged currency were kept.

A subsequent raid on the chalet uncovered more than 20 printing devices equipped with scanners, dozens of inks and dyes, paper cutters, thousands of counterfeit banknotes ready for circulation, and hundreds more in preparation. Detectives also seized adhesives, forgery tools, chemical substances, and additional drug-related items.

The suspect has since been referred to the competent authorities for legal proceedings.

KUWAIT: Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Affairs Abdullatif Al-Meshari announced the launch of three housing packages totaling 15,000 units for real estate developers in Mutlaa, Saad Al-Abdullah and Jaber Al-Ahmad. The announcement was made during the launch of a promotional campaign at Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center to qualify participating companies.

Al-Meshari highlighted that the initiative is part of the government’s partnership with the private sector to address Kuwait’s housing needs, emphasizing the sector’s role as a key partner in national development. He stressed that the first three projects should be approached collaboratively and noted recent efforts to amend important policies and laws, including Law No. 118 of 2023 and the upcoming real estate finance law, which is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

The Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) conducted comprehensive feasibility studies for these projects, ensuring proper site selection and preliminary designs to guarantee viability. Al-Meshari underscored the Authority’s objectives to reduce the housing waiting period, increase home ownership rates, and maintain high urban standards in modern residential areas.

He added that PAHW will soon commission three consulting firms to design infrastructure for upcoming housing cities, including Sabriya, Nawaf Al-Ahmad and Al-Khiran, encompassing approximately 170,000 plots. Al-Meshari noted that parallel projects are also in preparation, with additional offerings under review by the Council of Ministers. “The real estate development program requires a robust governance mechanism to enable swift decision-making and project activation,” he said, noting ongoing institutional restructuring to align with Law No. 118 of 2023. He added that amendments to the law, alongside the real estate finance law and related legislation, will be reviewed every four years to ensure policy alignment.

Al-Meshari described the 10-year plan to establish 170,000 housing units as ambitious yet achievable, with close coordination with the Council of Ministers on supporting infrastructure, including electricity, water and urban development. He confirmed that the projects announced today will be awarded next year, with implementation to follow, and praised the strong turnout of participating companies, including firms from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. He emphasized that the current offerings serve as a pilot to assess the Real Estate Developer Law, which will inform the future approach to delivering 170,000 units while ensuring diversification as a central pillar of Kuwait’s housing strategy.

During the forum, Eng Ahmed Al-Ansari, Director of the Investment Department at PAHW, and Kawthar Jamal, Head of the Asset and Risk Management Department, presented detailed analyses of current and future housing demand. They noted that existing applications total approximately 105,000 and are projected to rise to 197,244 by 2035, with an annual increase of nearly 3 percent. The Authority’s plans aim to cover 180,000 applications through distributed projects, including the 5,000 units offered in the current investment opportunities, alongside 10,000 units in Al-Sulaibiya and Taima, with remaining units in South Saad Al-Abdullah and Al-Mirqab. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT), in cooperation with Google Cloud, on Wednesday launched the second edition of the National Digital Skills Initiative, aimed at empowering Kuwaiti professionals and enhancing their capabilities in advanced digital technologies. Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar said the initiative marks an important milestone in Kuwait’s comprehensive digital development efforts. “It provides employees across all sectors with practical experience in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, contributing to higher institutional efficiency and improving the quality of services offered to citizens and residents,” he stated.

Al-Omar emphasized that developing national competencies in modern technologies supports the creation of a knowledge- and innovation-based economy, strengthening Kuwait’s competitiveness across multiple sectors. He described investment in human capital as “a permanent and renewable investment and the cornerstone for achieving the New Kuwait 2035 vision, a priority strongly endorsed by our wise leadership.”

KUWAIT: Attendees and participants take part in the initiative. – KUNA photos

Google Cloud Kuwait General Manager Shaima Al-Terkait discusses the initiative’s goals.

The Minister highlighted that the program reflects the strategic partnership between the Government of Kuwait and Google Cloud, noting its role in equipping employees with advanced digital skills. “Our collaboration with Google Cloud goes beyond training; it represents the state’s commitment to enhancing digital capabilities and positioning Kuwait as a hub for advanced global technologies and regional innovation,” he added.

Shaima Al-Terkait, General Manager of Google Cloud in Kuwait, said the initiative demonstrates the company’s commitment to empowering the Kuwaiti workforce and accelerating digital transformation. She noted that the program provides critical practical skills and certifications to navigate the evolving cloud landscape and prepares a future-ready talent pool to support Kuwait’s economic growth and technological advancement.

The first edition of the Kuwait Digital Skills Development Initiative was launched in October last year, focusing on cloud computing management, advanced data analysis, and machine learning. The initiative offers participants the opportunity to lead the country’s digital transformation, equipping them to implement cloud technologies effectively in the workplace and contribute to Kuwait’s broader digital vision.- KUNA