FOLLOWING the decisive measures taken by His Highness the Amir, the political arena has become calm. This allows the Council of Ministers to perform its duties without obstacles and meet the challenges ahead. It now has the opportunity to work on expediting the implementation of projects that have been shelved for many years.

In the past, the parliamentary-ministerial conflict was a pretext for inaction, but that is no longer an issue. If funding was an obstacle, the Council of Ministers now has the “thread and needle” to address this matter. If outdated laws were the reason for the delay in progress, the Council of Ministers now has the authority to amend them within weeks.

However, after a hundred days in office, the administration has yet to meet the minimum expectations of the people. In fact, it seems it is seeking to destabilize the economy, which already was in need of careful management. This is evidence of its failure. It must acknowledge this because knowing the cause is the first step in the treatment process.

For example, the new requirement for non-Kuwaiti partners who hold visas other than those under Article 19 to sell their shares to a Kuwaiti when exiting the country is problematic.

Truth be told, this situation has existed since the time of the state’s independence. It was a source of progress and development, and had increased commercial activity. This is what the officials should take into consideration.

What is particularly strange about this matter is not finding anyone to answer questions.

When writers and the press highlight the flaws in this shameful procedure, the responsible parties remain silent. They know they have jumped into the unknown and are unable to address the issues with statements that offer no real solutions. This disregard for effective governance and rational procedures is evident.

As a result, successful entrepreneurs are relocating to neighboring countries that offer incentives, even for innovative ideas, as they recognize ideas as valuable capital.

We therefore ask: Who can thrive in this gloomy and obstructive environment? Who will invest in a country that challenges and undermines creative and hardworking individuals? Do the ministers have a clear vision, or are they operating without direction?

People were optimistic about the Amiri measures and relied on the Council of Ministers to resolve their issues and amend laws that hinder all business. Instead, the situation has worsened, with the Council becoming increasingly strict in everything. This is negatively impacting the social and economic conditions and causing many problems. It seems as though the Council is enacting laws and decisions driven by revenge but against whom remains unclear.

What is puzzling is that everyone shifts the blame to others. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry blames the Public Authority for Manpower, and others on ministerial orders, and those who issue them offer justifications like reforming the demographic structure, which seem insubstantial.

Therefore we repeat the question: What would the state do if other countries with Kuwaiti investments demand that Kuwaiti citizens or even an official investing body must sell their investments to the citizens of those countries before exiting?

In this regard, there is also another question: Why did the London Investment Office lose its immunity? Why were assets sold at low prices in some Arab countries?

The Council of Ministers should have a clear work program that is transparent to the public. If ministers are working “silently” to avoid envy and “the evil eye,” it means that the Council of Ministers is definitely not up to the challenge.

By Ahmed Al-Jarallah

Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times