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Kuwait, Egypt agree on boosting economic, commercial ties

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KUWAIT: Kuwait and Egypt have agreed on enhancing economic, commercial and investment relations. This came in a joint statement issued on Tuesday on the occasion of the visit paid by Egypt’s President Abdelfattah Al-Sisi to Kuwait on April 14-15, in response to an invitation of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The visit was made out of the deep-rooted historic relations between Kuwait and Egypt and in the enhancement of their strategic partnership.

His Highness the Amir held talks with President Al-Sisi that were proceeded by a wide session of the two delegations’ members. The talks covered the bilateral ties between the two sisterly relations, and both sides extolled and deeply appreciated these bonds. The Kuwaiti side expressed its determination to carry out investment projects in Egypt, exploiting multiple opportunities in the domains of energy, agriculture, industry, information technology, real estate development, banking sector and pharmaceutical industries, according to the joint statement.

The two sides discussed boosting collaboration in a number of fields like energy, infrastructure, healthcare, education, culture and tourism. They commended progress in these sectors and bilateral relations, expressing determination to enhance commercial and investment ties in the upcoming phase in a manner that achieves their common interest.

The Egyptian side also praised renaissance witnessed in Kuwait on all levels in the achievement of the country’s Vison 2035.Similarly, the Kuwaiti side extolled unprecedented development carried out in Egypt under the wise leadership of President Al-Sisi, and his efforts made to improve investment conditions in line with Egypt’s 2030 vision, the statement noted.

Additionally, His Highness the Amir welcomed the ongoing preparations for Cairo’s hosting of the Gulf-Egypt investment forum this year. His Highness the Amir confirmed Kuwait’s determination to effectively participate in this event in a way that achieves Kuwait and Egypt’s common interest, it noted. The two sides applauded mutual support between the two countries in various international forums, mainly Kuwait’s baking to the nomination of Dr Khaled Al-Anani for the post of Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) from 2025 to 2029.

Promoting peace

They further praised close coordination on regional and international issues of common interest, stressing the need to promote peace, dialogue, and diplomatic settlement of disputes and differences in the Middle East region to achieve development and peaceful coexistence among the region’s countries in a manner to be consistent with the values of tolerance, respect of the states’ sovereignty over their territories, and non-interference in their internal affairs, it pointed out.

President Al-Sisi extolled His Highness the Amir’s efforts to back the Arab region’s stability and security, mainly in light of Kuwait’s presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council this year. Both sides commended tangible progress in relations between GCC States and Egypt, affirming eagerness to enhance the mechanism of political consultation held on March 6, 2025 in Makkah .His Highness the Amir hailed President Al-Sisi’s efforts to cement peace, security and good-neighborliness, and support integration paths in the region.

His Highness the Amir also commended the success of Egypt’s hosting of the exceptional Arab Summit held on March 4, 2025, affirming Kuwait’s backing to the Muslim-Arab plan on the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza. His Highness the Amir stressed the rejection of any calls for the displacement of Palestinian people from their territories. His Highness the Amir and President Al-Sisi agreed on the need of abiding by the ceasefire deal in Gaza with its phases done through joint efforts from Egypt, the United States and Qatar, it noted. The two leaders expressed their condemnation and denunciation of Israeli occupation forces’ violation of this deal and resumption of hostile acts in the Strip.

They underlined the necessity of stopping targeting of civilians, calling for the delivery of sustainable, sufficient and safe humanitarian aid to Palestinian people in the occupied territories, in implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions mainly the 2720.They also affirmed rejection to continued military operations carried out by the Israeli occupation, warning against humanitarian consequences of the dangerous Israeli practices that widen the circle of conflict, and jeopardize the region’s security and stability, and international peace and security, according to the statement.

Two-state solution

They further underlined the significance for the international community to assume its responsibilities to settle Palestine’s cause through implementing the two-state solution and establishing the Palestinian state on 4 June borders, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the relevant international references. They expressed categorical rejection and strong commendation of all Israeli attempts aiming to liquidate the Palestinian issue, and Israel’s violations of international law and international humanitarian law as well as the displacement of Palestinians from their territories in Gaza and the West Bank.

On Syria, both sides stressed the need of announcing the formation of a transition government in the country in a manner that meets Syrians’ aspirations in peace, security and prosperity. They called for an inclusive political process, in line with the Security Council Resolution 2254, placing the country’s national interest above anything else, and maintaining the State’s institutions and territorial integrity. They rejected interfering into Syria’s domestic affairs, and stressed the need of combating terror in all forms and not allowing the presence of foreign terrorist fighters on Syria’s soil, the statement pointed out. They deplored Israeli occupation forces’ violation of Syria’s sovereignty and capturing new parts from Syria’s territories, calling on the Israeli occupation to respect international law and abide by the Agreement on Disengagement between Israel and Syria signed in 1974.

On Lebanon, they welcomed the election of a new Lebanese president that represents a pivotal step to complete the remaining political gains. The two leaders also welcomed the naming of a Lebanese premier and forming the government, which gained the parliament’s confidence that helps the State’s institutions to assume their role in meeting Lebanese people’s aspirations, the statement stated. They stressed the importance of fully implementing the deal on halting all hostile acts, and the complete Israeli occupation forces’ withdrawal from south Lebanon. They called for implementing the Security Council Resolution 1701 from all parties, urging offering support to Lebanon’s institutions, topped with the army to help it achieve its duties. – KUNA

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Kuwait enforces eviction of charities from private housing

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KUWAIT: Kuwait Municipality launched Thursday its first field inspection campaign to evacuate charity associations and foundations operating in private and model residential areas across the six governorates.

Private residential areas are low-density zones reserved for single-family housing, primarily intended for Kuwaiti citizens, where land is distributed through the country’s housing welfare program. In contrast, investment housing areas feature multi-unit buildings — such as apartments, duplex villas, and studios — designed for rental or ownership across all floors.

The campaign comes following a request from the Ministry of Social Affairs to Kuwait Municipality to enforce Ministerial Decision No. (206/2009) — which prohibits the use of buildings in private residential areas for any purpose other than private housing. The ministry began surveying all registered charities — approximately 84 organizations with over 200 branches across the country — earlier this month to take legal action against those located in private residential zones.

Khaled Al-Fadhli, Head of the Emergency Team at Ahmadi Municipality, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that field teams had issued warnings to several charity premises over the past days, ordering them to vacate. On Thursday, the teams inspected five areas — Fahaheel, Fintas, Ali Sabah Al-Salem (Umm Al-Hayman), Sabah Al-Ahmad Residential City, and Al-Sabahiya — issuing 15 evacuation warnings. Al-Fadhli praised the cooperation of some associations that voluntarily removed their violations in Al-Ahmadi Governorate.

Al-Fadhli stressed that the monitoring teams will not tolerate any violations of Kuwait Municipality’s regulations and laws, emphasizing that field campaigns will continue over the coming days across different governorates.

This move is part of a wider regulatory reform of Kuwait’s charitable sector. Last month, the ministry suspended all charitable fundraising nationwide, citing concerns about unauthorized campaigns. Since November 2024, Minister of Social Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah has dissolved at least 30 charities found inactive after inspections. These measures are designed to eliminate inactive or ineffective organizations and ensure that resources are being used efficiently.

These reforms also align with Kuwait’s efforts to improve financial oversight and comply with international anti-money laundering standards. A Financial Action Task Force (FATF) report released in November 2024 acknowledged Kuwait’s legal framework to combat illicit finance, but pointed to enforcement challenges. Countries that fall short of FATF standards risk being greylisted or blacklisted, which can affect global financial relations. Kuwaiti authorities have since ramped up coordination among ministries to tighten control, particularly over cross-border donations. Officials say these efforts aim to uphold Kuwait’s humanitarian leadership while meeting international best practices. — Agencies

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Indian Learners Own Academy visits Kuwait Times, Kuwait News

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KUWAIT: A group of students from Indian Learners Own Academy visited the offices of Kuwait Times and Kuwait News on Monday for an interactive media tour on Thursday. Aimed at sparking curiosity and creativity, the visit gave students a glimpse into the dynamic world of journalism beyond the classroom. Thursday’s visit was the second this week, after another group of students from the academy explored Kuwait Times and Kuwait News on Wednesday.

Jana Alnaqeeb, Kuwait Times’ PR & CSR Manager, led the tour alongside members of the digital and editorial teams. The students explored various departments, including the editorial section, studio, printing press, and archives, gaining firsthand insights into how news stories are created, edited, and published. They also learned about the importance of credible reporting and how social media content is crafted to engage younger audiences.

Adding a playful twist to the visit, the team organized a game of hide and seek for the students, who dashed through the newsroom and turned the space into a lively, energetic environment.

The visit was part of the school’s initiative to blend education with real-world exposure and Kuwait Times’ ongoing mission to connect with and inspire future generations.

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AUK students unite for Gaza with ‘Play it Forward’ awareness event

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KUWAIT: The Finance Club at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) organized an awareness event titled “Play it Forward” on Wednesday, in collaboration with the Office of Student Life and 12 student organizations, to shed light on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Speaking to Kuwait Times, Shoroq Bukhamsin, President of the Finance Club, said the event’s primary aim was to amplify awareness. “We wanted people to remember the cause, to remember the people. It’s still relevant and it will never stop being relevant,” she said.

A key feature of the event was an emotional art exhibition titled “Gaza Habibti” by Untold Palestine, which displayed photographs of Gaza’s people before and after the war. “The gallery traces the emotional journey — beginning with life before the war, then documenting the devastation and personal stories from the current conflict,” Bukhamsin explained. “It reminds us they are not just numbers. They are souls, families, daughters and sons.”

The exhibition also included large-scale installations by regional artists, including a moving piece known as the Martyr’s Wall, which displayed photos of 1,300 Palestinians who lost their lives. “This is not even a fraction; the current death toll exceeds 50,000,” Bukhamsin noted. She extended heartfelt thanks to AUK, faculty advisors, club executives, supporting businesses, and Kuwait Times for their support and coverage.

Jumanah Al-Bloushi, Vice President of the Finance Club, said the event also featured an open market and game zone. Local businesses and food vendors participated, pledging 25 percent of their proceeds to humanitarian causes related to Palestine. Attendees were encouraged to donate through interactive games.

A performance show by ArtScene and Argan Bedaya capped the event, featuring music, poetry and storytelling in tribute to Palestinian identity and resilience. Al-Bloushi praised the collective spirit: “It’s so beautiful to see so many different organizations come together just to make this happen today.” She added, “This event is a reminder that even after a year, the Palestinian cause is still relevant and we will not let it be forgotten.”

Mishari Al-Ibrahim, a member of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement in Kuwait, also participated in the exhibition. He emphasized the boycott as a powerful form of resistance: “Here in Kuwait, we’re pioneers and active in this field,” he said. “These events allow us to explain the different forms of boycott — commercial, academic and sports — as tools to counter normalization and raise awareness.”

He encouraged individuals to engage by staying informed and making conscious choices. “At the very least, refrain from buying targeted products and raise awareness among your family and peers,” he said. “When you have the right information, you become a source of knowledge. That’s how you become an active member of the global boycott movement and part of the change.”

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