KUWAIT: Zain announced its sponsorship of the annual launch event organized by global media group The Business Year, in collaboration with the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA). The event, titled Kuwait’s New Era, featured a series of insightful panel discussions on strategic investment efforts and the latest policies and regulations enhancing Kuwait’s appeal as a regional investment hub.

Zain took part in the opening ceremony, attended by Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel, KDIPA Director General Sheikh Dr Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Zain Kuwait CEO Nawaf Al-Gharabally, Chairman of the Kuwait Banking Association Hamad Al-Marzouq, and a prominent lineup of public and private sector leaders, experts and entrepreneurs. Zain’s support of the event reaffirmed its strategic partnership with The Business Year and ongoing collaboration with KDIPA, both aimed at empowering the local business environment and positioning Kuwait as a regional economic center driven by innovation and technology.

During the event, Zain emphasized that its support for this distinguished gathering is renewed annually as part of its contribution to shaping the future of Kuwait’s economy. Events like these bring together innovation and decision-making to transform ambition into action, aligning perfectly with Zain’s strategic vision for the digital future. The company noted that Kuwait has taken bold steps in recent years to strengthen its digital economy, and Zain is proud to be a key partner in this journey. Looking ahead, the company believes that economic transformation is not solely based on infrastructure and investment, but on people, partnerships, and purposeful technology.

Waleed Al-Khashti delivers Zain’s keynote speech during the opening ceremony.

Zain explained that it has moved beyond the traditional role of a telecom operator to become a driver of innovation and digital transformation, serving as a strategic partner to the government, private sector, and startups. The company’s purpose is clear: to deliver technologies and innovations that enable Lasting Connections and Better Lives for the communities it serves. Zain is also accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence, not just as a trend but as a national imperative. Through smart platforms, data analytics, and advanced telecom solutions, the company is unlocking potential across vital sectors, from healthcare and education to finance and logistics.

The company is making major investments in nurturing national talent, grounded in its belief that Kuwait’s future will be built by its people. Whether in AI, cybersecurity, or cloud computing, Zain is preparing its workforce to lead tomorrow’s economy. Recognizing that this new era requires collective effort, Zain believes true innovation lies not only in what is built, but in how it is built. Through strong partnerships with the public sector and global technology leaders, the company strives to shape a strong, inclusive, and sustainable digital future for Kuwait.

Zain also expressed its pleasure in continuing its long-standing partnership with The Business Year, based in London, to help host such impactful forums. The company values the critical role these platforms play in fostering dialogue, exchanging ideas and enabling innovation across Kuwait’s market sectors. The company praised the pivotal role and significant efforts of KDIPA in improving Kuwait’s business environment, diversifying the economy, boosting competitiveness and positioning the country on the global investment map. Zain reaffirmed its commitment to supporting these national goals as a leading private sector organization.

The event featured two insightful panel discussions that highlighted Kuwait’s most strategic investment sectors. The first panel explored the importance of family business transitions to public listings and the evolving role of foreign direct investment (FDI) in driving economic growth in a stable political environment with a robust development agenda. It also examined the latest policies and legislation bolstering Kuwait’s regional investment appeal.

The second panel focused on Kuwait’s industrial evolution, the need to diversify income sources, and integrating sustainability into growth strategies. Panelists discussed mechanisms for reducing oil dependency, the role of public-private collaboration in expanding industrial sectors, and emerging opportunities in renewable energy and advanced technologies to build a competitive and sustainable economy.

WASHINGTON: Kuwaiti Ambassador to the US Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah and CEO and Deputy Chairman of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Sheikh Nawaf Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah held a meeting with US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the Kuwait Embassy said. In a statement to KUNA, the embassy affirmed that the meeting discussed ways to strengthen strategic relations between the two countries, including in the energy sector, and the upcoming construction of the Desert Storm and Desert Shield memorial in Washington.

The Kuwaiti embassy also said it hosted a roundtable discussion with Sheikh Nawaf in cooperation with the Washington-based Atlantic Council think tank. Sheikh Nawaf highlighted various topics in the discussions, including solar energy, artificial intelligence, carbon recycling and Kuwait’s growing role in the global energy sector, it added. – KUNA

By B Izzak & KUNA

KUWAIT: Ten people were injured in an explosion at a commercial center in Fahaheel on Wednesday, resulting from a gas leakage, the fire department said. Fire brigades from Fahaheel and Ahmadi put out the resultant fire, the fire department said in a statement. The 10 injured people were handed to health authorities for treatment, it added. The leakage took place at a restaurant in the commercial center and some of those injured were workers at the restaurant.

Meanwhile, power cuts on Wednesday hit about 40 residential areas and about 10 agricultural and industrial areas as temperatures rose close to 50 degrees Celsius in most areas, accompanied with strong hot winds. The ministry of electricity and water said it has resorted to “programmed cuts” due to an increase in consumption and because some generating units were still under annual maintenance in preparation for the hot summer.

The ministry had already resorted to power cuts earlier this year as temperatures increased and because some units were under maintenance. The meteorological department recorded temperatures of 49 degrees Celsius in both Jahra and Abdaly in the north of the country, while temperatures of 48 degrees Celsius were recorded at Kuwait Airport and Nuwaiseeb on the southern borders with Saudi Arabia. Wafra recorded 47 degrees and Salmiya hit only 44 because of its proximity to the sea. The department is forecasting temperatures to remain unchanged on Thursday, but are expected to hit 50 degrees Celsius on Friday and Saturday in some areas.

As the country endures a significant rise in temperatures, the health ministry has called for heightened awareness and precautionary measures to safeguard public health — particularly for those most vulnerable to extreme heat. In a press statement issued Wednesday, Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad, the official spokesman for the ministry of health, underscored the importance of individual and community-level preparedness. He stressed the need for scientifically informed and well-planned preventive behaviors to reduce health risks associated with soaring temperatures.

Dr Al-Sanad warned that high temperatures can lead to a range of health complications, the most notable being heat exhaustion, which typically manifests as fatigue and dizziness caused by the loss of body fluids and salts. More severe cases may result in sunstroke — a medical emergency marked by a sharp rise in body temperature that can lead to loss of consciousness. He further explained that dehydration is another common condition triggered by extreme heat, often leading to headaches, fatigue and dry mouth.

The impact of heat on the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions can be more serious, potentially causing sudden drops in blood pressure and salt imbalances, which may disrupt nerve and muscle function due to disturbances in sodium and potassium levels. “Many of the fatigue and lethargy cases witnessed in recent days are physiological responses to the heat and fluid loss,” Dr Al-Sanad said. He noted that these symptoms indicate reduced blood flow to vital organs as a result of dehydration, leading to insufficient oxygen supply to the muscles and brain, and causing weakness and mental exhaustion.

Emphasizing that such conditions are preventable, he urged the public to prioritize hydration. “Adults should consume around 2.5 to 3 liters of water daily — even in the absence of thirst — to compensate for ongoing fluid loss,” he advised. Dr Al-Sanad also recommended avoiding direct sun exposure between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm and wearing light-colored cotton garments that allow the body to breathe. He encouraged the use of hats or umbrellas during outdoor activities to mitigate heat absorption.

He cautioned against the intake of diuretic beverages such as tea, coffee and soft drinks, which contribute to fluid depletion, and advised limiting salty foods that may upset the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance. Light physical activity, such as evening walks, could help the body gradually adapt to the weather, he added, while urging the postponement of intense workouts to early morning or after sunset hours.

On workplace safety, Dr Al-Sanad stressed the need for heightened professional responsibility in outdoor and field environments. He called for organizing work schedules to avoid peak heat periods, providing sufficient rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas, and ensuring a steady supply of cold drinking water. These steps, he said, reflect a humane approach that honors the dignity and well-being of workers.