Why owners of SMEs should pay price for govt’s wrong decisions regarding corona?

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 4: MP Abdulkareem Al-Kandari considers the recent decisions of the government regarding coronavirus a continuation of its confusion in dealing with the issue. Instead of closing Kuwait International Airport where some arriving passengers presented fake PCR certificates that led to a spike in the number of corona cases; the government decided to close spas and barber shops while limiting the operating hours for commercial establishments.

Commenting on the same issue, MP Mehalhal Al-Mudaf asserted it is no longer acceptable that the owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are paying the price for the wrong decisions of the government; which should compensate them rather than add burdens on their shoulders.

MPs Yousef Al-Fadala, Muhannad Al-Sayer and Osama Al-Menawer said the problem lies in the opening of the airport; not the spas, restaurants and barbershops. In a recent press conference, Al- Fadala showed the picture of Egyptian Minister of Immigration Nabila Makram while announcing that she is trying hard to push for the return of many Egyptians to Kuwait before the closure of the airport. He stressed the need for the government to focus on the entry of such nationalities as they contribute to the rising number of corona cases.

MP Muhannad Al-Sayer forwarded queries to interim Minister of Health Dr Basel Al-Sabah about the decision of the government. He wants to know if the ministry conducted a study on the negative consequences of the decision, particularly damages incurred by SMEs. He asked how many expatriates have presented fake PCR certificates, number of people infected with the first strain of coronavirus, number of those infected with the British strain, and number of those infected with the South African strain from Jan 1, 2021 till date.

MP Abdullah Al-Turaiji urged the government to study the successful experience of countries which enforced regulations to curb the spread of corona without damaging businesses and the economy. He called on the government to revise its recent decision; wondering how the government could disrupt the citizens’ daily life while it allows thousands of expatriates to enter the country – many of whom are infected with coronavirus.

Meanwhile, MPs Soud Bu Sleeb and Badr Al-Dahoum submitted a bill on amending National Assembly Law number 12 / 1963 in order to add an article stipulating the need to release a report right after a parliamentary session. The report should include the issues discussed in the session and results of voting on proposals. These results must be made available to all interested bodies.

MP Mubarak Al-Arow proposed the amendment of Commercial Agencies Law number 13/ 2016 in order to allow the main company to cancel the agency authorization in case the agent commits violations which harmed the company.

The company will then submit a request for cancellation of the agency’s license to Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) which will reply within 30 days; otherwise, the request is considered rejected. The company has the right to appeal the decision of KCCI in the concerned court within 60 days.

MP Musaed Al-Ardi submitted a proposal to postpone the collection of loan payments for a period of six months due to the negative consequences of coronavirus. MP Abdulaziz Al-Saqaabi proposed the amendment of the law on establishing Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) to further affirm the independence of the authority by transferring it from the Ministry of Justice to the Office of the Prime Minister. He disclosed the proposal grants more powers to Nazaha by allocating a special prosecution unit and court for the authority to conduct investigations regarding cases under its jurisdiction.

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff