KUWAIT CITY, Jan 1: MP Adel Al-Damkhi has submitted a bill on the establishment of a shareholding company that will manage Kuwait International Airport and subsidiary airports. The lawmaker pointed out that the budget for the airport has increased; while the administration and maintenance works have been entrusted to unqualified contractors, resulting in poor service and higher cost. He said the bill is aimed at nationalizing technical jobs in order to generate job opportunities for qualified Kuwaiti youths, improve the quality of airport services through a strategic partnership with an international entity and government monitoring, generate income for shareholders (citizens), and acquire experience through the implementation of local projects in accordance with the international competitiveness system like the Dubai Ports World (DP World) and Malaysian companies. The bill mandates the Council of Ministers to specify the capital and value of each share.

The shares will be divided as follows: 20 percent for Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), four percent for the Public Institution for Social Security (PIFSS), 26 percent for the international strategic partner and 50 percent for public subscription. Al-Damkhi clarified that the 26 percent allocated for the international partner will be offered through public auction to qualified and experienced companies approved by the Council of Ministers.

The shares should not be traded within the first five years of the establishment of the company, which will operate in accordance with the Islamic Law (Sharia), he added. MP Osama Al-Shaheen submitted a proposal for Kuwait National Petroleum Corporation (KNPC) to publish job advertisements for the College of Technological Studies graduates in the following fields: Electrical Engineering Tech, Petroleum Engineering Tech, Manufacturing Engineering Tech, Chemical Engineering Tech, and Mechanical Power and Refrigeration Tech. MP Hani Shams has proposed establishing branches of the General Medical Council in different health districts to reduce pressure on the council, which is currently located in Sabah Health District. By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff