ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

8LOCAL

Poll hopeful Al-Rashid urgesPM to give way to new faces

Maasouma optimistic on women’s win in polls

Members of the new Businesswomen Sector Group pose for a photograph. Seated second from left is An Swinnen, BBF Board Member and owner of the British training company BECS.

Group welcomes businesswomen of all sectors, backgrounds

BBF inaugurates new Businesswomen GroupBy Paul Francis X. Fernandes

Arab Times Staff

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 28: The BritishBusiness Forum in Kuwait held the inau-gural meeting of its new BusinesswomenSector Group. An Swinnen, BBF BoardMember and owner of the British trainingcompany BECS, chaired this historicevent which was hosted by the CrownePlaza Hotel at its premises.

The new BBF Businesswomen grouphas 32 members from all business back-grounds and sectors.

Addressing the members, Swinnensaid the group provides a safe environ-

ment where business and professionalwomen can network, generate businessopportunities, exchange ideas and experi-ences, learn new skills, host womenspeakers and find out what is happeningin Kuwait and the rest of the worldregarding business practice and opportu-nities.

The BBF Businesswomen also providemutual support and celebrate members’successes during the monthly meetings,she added.

Swinnen went on to say the BBFBusinesswomen sector group welcomesbusinesswomen of all sectors, ages andbackgrounds.

“If you are interested in joining contactAn Swinnen, the BBF BusinesswomenConvener at an.swinnen@bbfkuwait.comor join our Linkedin group ‘BBFBusinesswomen Kuwait’,” she added.

The next meeting is scheduled to be at7 pm on Tuesday Jan 8, 2013 when HindAl-Nahed, owner of Socialobby, willdeliver a session on how social media canincrease profits, credibility and visibilityin a world market.

Other members will share their knowl-edge on the subject and discuss the legal,technical and marketing aspects of socialmedia. There will also be a ‘news inKuwait’ and networking session.

KUWAIT CITY, Nov28: Parliamentaryelection candidate AliAl-Rashid urges HHthe Prime MinisterSheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah togive way to new faces,reports Al-Kuwaitiyadaily.

At a recent electoralseminar, Al-Rashid wastotally convinced the gov-ernment has not succeededin managing various files,and said the prime ministerhimself admits this fact.

He disclosed the govern-ment has reached a bargainwith the nullified majoritybloc for support duringinterpellations filed againstits ministers, except for the‘honest’ Mustafa Al-Shimali.

He added the boycotterswill participate in the com-ing parliamentary elec-tions, “as they are like fishand cannot live outsidewater”.

Meanwhile, candidate ofthe First Constituency DrMaasouma Al-Mubarak isoptimistic that Kuwaitiwomen will get lucky in theupcoming parliamentaryelection. She is expectingbetter participation in theprocess, reports Al-Qabasdaily.

In an interview with thedaily, she added the nullifiedmajority bloc has deviatedfrom its agenda, while thepolitical activity is losing itsway.

“Collectively, we canpush for change and bringabout development throughour patriotic determination”,reports Al-Anba daily quot-ing Fifth Constituency can-didate Faleh Muhawesh assaying.

He added Kuwaitis couldassist His Highness theAmir to push the wheel ofdevelopment forward toimprove healthcare and edu-cation, while inauguratinghis campaign headquartersthemed ‘Collectively WeCan’ in the presence of sev-eral supporters led bynotable personalities fromthe area.

He stressed the fightagainst corruption can notbe limited to mere propa-ganda and noted effectivemechanism must be imple-mented for that purpose. Hepointed to the current mis-understanding between thelegislative and executiveauthorities and said reformor development can not beattained in this way, indicat-ing issues of this naturereverse the wheel of devel-opment.

He blamed the govern-ment and the NationalAssembly for the currentdisheartening situation here,stressing both authorities areat fault because the execu-tive has been lackadaisicalin pushing for achieve-ments, while the legislaturehas failed by using thegrilling tool to settle person-al scores.

“Lawmakers should mon-itor the government per-formance and make themembers accountable forunlawful activities, withoutexaggeration or fracas,” heindicated.

Minister Al-Obaidi signs construction contract for first of 9 towers

MoH to pay extra wages for personnel working extra hoursKUWAIT CITY, Nov 28: HealthMinister Dr Ali Al-Obaidi is deter-mined to pay extra wages for person-nel working extra hours outside theirnormal duty and on public holidays,reports Al-Rai daily.

The minister said specialist physi-cians will get KD 20 an hour, regis-trars and general practitioners KD 16and KD 10 for X-ray technicians.

Obaidi also announced the signingof a construction contract for thefirst of the nine towers developed bythe Ministry of Health as part of itsconstruction and development pro-gram.

Sources pointed out, these towerswill contribute to increase in bedcapacity to more than 5,400 beds.

Al-Obaidi said the Razi Hospital is

the starting point which will raise thebed capacity in the hospital to 80 per-cent which means 240 beds will beadded.

Moreover, it will also mean newoperation theatres which will raise thenumber to 12 thus reducing the wait-ing period for patients.

Al-Obaidi said the signing of thecontract for the construction of the

tower at the Razi Hospital will be fol-lowed by the Amiri Hospital contractand then the Kuwait Center forCancer.

He pointed the construction of thenew nine towers will be under the fullsupervision of the Ministry of Healthin terms of construction, equipmentand maintenance, which is happeningfor the first time.

By Valiya S. SajjadArab Times Staff

The Embassy of Australia has announcedthat Kuwaiti citizens can apply for andreceive visit visas in at least 10 working daysthrough www.immi.gov.au. All other pro-cessing of visas and immigration matters arehandled by the Australian Visa ApplicationCentre located in Al Banwan Building, 4B1st floor, Al Qibla Area, Ali Al Salem Street,Kuwait City, Kuwait. Visit www.vfs.ae formore info.

The Embassy of Australia does not have avisa or immigration department in Kuwait.All processing of visas and immigrationmatters are conducted by the AustralianConsulate General in Dubai. Email:info.ausdxb@vfshelpline.co (VFS), immi-gration.dubai@dfat.gov.au (visa office). Tel:+971 43551958 (VFS), +971 45087200(Visa Office), Fax: +971 43550708 (VisaOffice).

Notary and passport services are availableby appointment at the Australian Embassyonly on Wednesday and Thursday mornings.Appointments can be made by calling theembassy on 22322422.

The French Embassy has announced thatSchengen Visa applications for France arenow received and processed only by thecompany Capago MENA in Kuwait.

For information and appointments, pleasecontact Capago MENA’s call center on: 2227 05 55. Capago MENA is situated in AlRaya Tower I, 26th floor, Al Raya ShoppingCenter, Shuhada Street, Kuwait City.

The Embassy of Greece in Kuwait hasannounced its new websitewww.mfa.gr/kuwait where visa applicationsand other useful information are available.

For Schengen visas to Greece, theembassy strongly recommends Kuwaiti citi-zens and foreign residents to apply early,prior to the intended date of travel.

The Embassy of India has announced thatthe following services are available at theembassy:

Passports and Visa applications can bedeposited at the two outsourced centers ofM/S BLS Ltd at Sharq and Fahaheel. Detailsare available at www.bls-international.comand www.indembkwt.org.

Consular Wing is providing daily serviceof Open House to Indian citizens on allworkings days from 1000 hrs to 1100 hrs andfrom 1430 hrs to 1530 hrs by the ConsularOfficer in the Meeting Room of the ConsularHall at the Embassy. For any unaddressedissues, Second Secretary (Consular) can becontacted. Furthermore, the head of theConsular Wing is also available to redress

grievances.Indian workers helpline is accessible by toll

free telephone number 25674163 from allover Kuwait. It provides information andadvice to Indian workers as regards theirgrievances, immigration and other matters.The help desk at the Embassy (open from 9am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 4:30 pm, Sunday toThursday) provides guidance to Indiannationals on routine immigration, employ-ment, legal and other issues. It also providesworkers assistance in filling up labour com-plaint forms. For any unaddressed issues, theconcerned attaché in the Labour section andthe head of the Labour Wing can be contact-ed.

Free legal advice is provided on matterspertaining to labour disputes, terms of con-tracts with employers, death/accident com-pensation, withholding of dues by employ-ers, etc. by lawyers on our panel, to Indiannationals on all working days between1500hrs to 1600hrs.

The Open House for Indian citizens by theAmbassador is being held on all Wednesdaysbetween 1500 hrs to 1600 hrs at the Embassyfor redressal of grievances. In caseWednesday is an Embassy holiday, the meet-ing will be held on the next working day.

The Embassy of Peru is located in Sharq,Ahmed Al Jaber Street, Al Arabiya Tower,6th Floor.Working days / hours:Sunday–Thursday / 09:00am - 04:00pm.Residents in Kuwait interested in getting avisa to travel to Peru and companies attract-ed to invest in Peru are invited to visit thepermanent exposition room located in theEmbassy. For more information, please con-tact: (+965) 22267250/1

The Embassy of Romania in Kuwaitannounced that it has launched a new web-site: kuweit.mae.ro

The US Embassy in Kuwait has launcheda new streamlined visa application, the DS-160, which replaces and combines all previ-ous forms. All non-immigrant visa appli-cants will use this new form.

With the new form, applicants will have toupload a visa photograph and submit theform via the internet. The applicant will printjust one confirmation sheet upon completionof the DS-160.

For additional information, please visit theUS Embassy website: http://kuwait.usem-bassy.gov. The site contains a complete list ofapplication requirements, links to the newapplication and the online appointment system.

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Editor’s note: The Embassy Row columnis dedicated to serving the needs of allembassies in Kuwait by publishing infor-mation on their activities free of chargeevery weekend. All embassies are there-fore welcome to send information on theirfunctions to the Editor, Fax No. 24818267.

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The GUST Club of the Year being announced.

GUST Islamic Finance Club named Club of the YearGulf University for Science andTechnology (GUST) Office of StudentLife (OSL) announced in a small cere-mony that the GUST Club of the Year isthe Islamic Finance Club. Dr JassemAl-Abdulsalam, GUST Board ofTrustees Member, Sabah Al-Quaddoumi, VP of Academic Servicesand Dr Milton Blood, InternationalCoordinator and Adjunct Professor atthe University of Missouri - St Louis,GUST’s affiliate university, were allpresent at the event.

Dr Al-Quaddoumi noted: “Studentclubs are an important and integral partof the university experience here atGUST and we wish to recognize that.”He also thanked the Office of StudentLife members: Anwar Al-Sabah, AseelAbou Nemah and Yasmeen Abdulrahimfor their efforts in making this event pos-sible and for continuously supporting allthe GUST clubs.

The Islamic Finance Club (IFC), wonbecause they stand out, works hard, isdedicated to their club and their goals,and continuously shows eagerness anddetermination to build relationships with-in and outside the university. Established

in 2009, the IFC proved their existencewith the myriad of events and sponsoredtrips to business hubs of the world andtheir establishment of a solid partnershipwith the Kuwait Finance House (KFH).The members are: Zabin Al-Zabin, OmarAl-Oraiman, Naser Al-Haji, Abdullah Al-Ateeqi, Mariam Al-Abdulghafoor, FahadAl-Hees and Mushari Al-Ali.

The purpose of the event was not onlyto recognize the Club of the Year, butalso to motivate and encourage the 12student run clubs and acknowledge theirhard work throughout the years.

Dr Al-Abdulsalam and Dr Bloodextended their congratulations to the IFCand encouraged the other clubs to aimand win next year. Ms Anwar Al-Sabahsaid: “This is the first year we choose aClub of the Year, and we hope to nameother clubs in future years to offer betterevents and better activities year byyear.”

There are 12 active student clubs atGUST, including: Islamic Finance Club,Media Club, Ruwwad Business Club,Anime Club, Talent Club, PhotographyClub, Sports Club, Al-Rawafed, iGive,Expressions Society and others.

Envoy to Qatar meets Kuwait team Pension hiketo all retireesKUWAIT CITY, Nov 28,(KUNA): The Kuwaiti Cabinetheld its weekly meetingWednesday, at Bayan Palaceunder the chairmanship of HisHighness the Prime MinisterSheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

Following the meeting,Minister of Information andMinister of State for CabinetAffairs Sheikh MohammadAbdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah gave a briefing on themeeting deliberations and out-come.

Sheikh Mohammad pointedout that the Cabinet acclaimedthe warm and great reception ofHis Highness the Amir ofKuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah dur-ing his official visit to theUnited Kingdom which startedon Nov 26. This great receptionreflects the strong bonds link-ing the two friendly nations andtheir leaders, the cabinet said.

The ministers also voicedhopes that Kuwaiti-UK rela-tions would develop andexpand in all domains, for thebest of the two nations, in thecoming period.

Then, Deputy PrimeMinister and Minister ofDefense Sheikh Ahmad Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabahapprised the Cabinet of the out-come of the 11th session of theJoint Defense Council ofMinisters of Defense of GulfCooperation Council (GCC)States held in Riyadh Tuesday.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Khalidsaid that the GCC defense min-isters have mulled the expan-sion of defense and militarycooperation among the mem-ber states and development ofthe joint Peninsula ShieldForces to address the chal-lenges threatening the Gulfregion’s security and stability.

Moreove, the Cabinetreviewed a study by the CivilService Commission and thestate social security establish-ment on the exclusion of cer-tain categories from the retireesfrom the recently governmentapproved 12.5 percent pensionincrease. Following the deliber-ations, the Cabinet approved abill to end the exclusion andoffer the pension increase to allretirees. The ministers alsotackled the latest politicaldevelopments in Kuwait, Arabregion and the whole world.

‘Environment issues top priority’DOHA, Nov 28, (KUNA): The State ofKuwait assigns priority to all issues relatedto the environment and includes care forsuch issues in all its plans, and this is why itis also keen on attending all internationalconferences and events in this field, KuwaitiAmbassador to Qatar Ali Salman Al-Haifitold KUNA, Tuesday.

The ambassador was speaking after meet-ing members of the Kuwaiti delegation tak-ing part in the 18th session of theConference of the Parties to the UNFCCCand the 8th session of the Conference of theParties serving as the Meeting of the Partiesto the Kyoto Protocol. The conferenceopened on Nov 26 and continues until Dec7, 2012, at the Qatar National ConventionCentre in Doha.

The Kuwaiti delegation includes represen-tation for a host of state bodies specialized inor with specialties related to environmentaffairs. The diplomat noted the level and vol-ume of participation in the event reflects therealization of the importance of the climatechange issue. The participants come from194 countries and include 7,000 members ofNGOs. “It is of great significance that the

conference takes place in our region thistime around,” the ambassador said.

Coming to specifics, the diplomat saidKuwait’s negotiating stance regarding thetimeframe for a second period of commit-ment to the Kyoto protocol on climatechange was in concert with that of other GulfCooperation Countries. “A united position isonly natural since these countries face thesame challenge and share the same environ-mental conditions and concerns.”

The State of Kuwait is keen on executingmany projects with main efforts coordinatedand supervised by the Environment PublicAuthority (EPA). The state also takes pridein its involvement and participation in allregional and international events in thisfield.

On the host country, the ambassador notedpraiseworthy effort in organization and host-ing of this and other events. The greatresources and services put at participants’disposal go a long way in facilitating smoothinteraction and help towards ultimate suc-cess of the event. The Kuwaiti ambassadorhad, Tuesday night, hosted a banquet in theKuwaiti delegation’s honor.

Al-Rashid

An ongoing

Kuwait’s path to reform and progress has —rightly — been its own. Its constitution wasdrafted, fifty years ago, just after independ-ence, and has kept the country on a coursetowards democracy that had been set since thefounding of the state. Recent years have seenincreasing debate about the nature of thatdemocracy. Governments and Prime Ministershave come and gone. Election campaigns havebeen fought and re-fought. Protestors haveexercised their right to make their views knownon the streets. Analysts have written reamsabout the past, present and future of the coun-try. All of these are things we in the UK wouldrecognise from the pursuit of politics inEurope.

Currently we’re seeing the next chapter inKuwait’s development unfold. What turn thisdevelopment should take is politically contest-ed, and the path forward is not clear, much as itwould not be clear in any other mature society.But what is certain is that Kuwaitis will contin-ue to choose their own path. And the long termtrajectory will, I hope, remain progressive,reformist and Kuwaiti-led.

Support for this is a key tenet of UK poli-cy, not just in Kuwait, but in the Gulf and thewider Middle East region. We support theongoing transitions to democracy in Egypt,Libya and Tunisia. We hope to one day see atransition to democracy in Syria. But in eachcase, our role is to support, not to lead. It hasbeen the people of these countries who havespoken out and who have changed their des-

tinies, setting their own pace of change.Revolution is not, and nor should it be, theonly option for change. Indeed, it is theoption of last resort. Over the long and con-tinuing evolution of British democracy wehave learnt well the benefits of stability, grad-ual reform and responsiveness to the will ofthe people.

These are lessons well understood in theGulf and in Kuwait where there has been agradual evolution in governance. Some mightargue that this allows its rulers to shirk the harddecisions. I would strongly disagree. Kuwait,despite its challenges, is a clear example ofhow political reform can and does happen inthe Gulf. As it continues, the UK will offeradvice when sought and support when neededas we already do in working with the govern-ment to promote transparency and accountabil-ity as well as combat corruption. And asKuwait continues on its journey we will alsogive our views on progress honestly and open-ly, as any friend should do.

The Joint Steering Group that was launchedin London Tuesday, provides a forum for this,as well as a chance to deepen our relationsacross the board on trade and investment, for-eign policy and critical issues like migrationand education. The group, like this week’s his-toric visit is a concrete illustration of the com-mitment that this government set out whencoming into office to invest in our relationshipwith our allies in the Gulf.

I hope that the sight of His Highness theAmir visiting Her Majesty The Queen will givea window into the vibrancy of Kuwaiti politics,and a glimpse beyond the shallow stereotypesinto the political and social depth of this inspir-ing country and fascinating region.

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