Head of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mohammad Al-Saqer stressed that the government measures taken regarding the “60-years” law for expatriates are uncivilized and may be unconstitutional, reports Al-Rai daily. He said, “His Highness the Crown Prince understands the matter and has adopted it. There are new procedures that are expected to be implemented in this regard.”

Al-Saqer explained that the business environment in Kuwait and the private sector does not find any sup- port from the government. All Gulf governments supported the private sector during the COVID-19 crisis, except for the State of Kuwait which did not support the private sector. He said, “We do not want financial support, but we want the authorities to facilitate procedures, change laws, and ease the restrictions on the private sector. We will have an extended session with the government in the future. We hope that the government will then adopt the concerns of the private sector again. The family’s list includes cadres and diverse experiences from all segments of society, representing national unity. There are no quotas. There is no privatization in Kuwait. It needs a clear program similar to what happened in the United Kingdom in the early 1980s, as well as the Norwegian program. Privatization must happen in major sectors such as oil, education and others.”

Al-Saqer expressed his fears that the rise in oil prices would turn out to be “a curse on Kuwait”. He said, “The chamber does not have fangs, but we have a mind and an idea through which we try to guide the government’s decision. There are corrupt merchants, including those who work in trade of visa, alcohol and prostitution. However, the commercial center in Kuwait enjoys a majority of those who have a patriotic sense and a keenness for the country.”/AT