TO be honest, the measures taken by His Highness the Amir were intended to address the issues that have been affecting Kuwait for over three decades. During this period, the National Assembly had become a detrimental force, impacting not only institutions but also society at large. This, undoubtedly, represents a critical issue that must be addressed and eradicated for the state to achieve effective recovery.

However, the Council of Ministers, using the powers entrusted to it, must fulfill its role fully, without underperforming and making matters worse, especially since there are currently no external distractions for its members.

Unfortunately, in recent months, some ministers strayed from their responsibilities. They have not served the interests of Kuwait. This is for the observers who might still give them the benefit of the doubt. In reality, some decisions reflect a lack of prudence in positively serving the country’s and its people’s interests and fail to align with the aspirations of the leadership of Kuwait’s renaissance.

Instead of seeking to enhance economic stability, the decision to suspend commercial licenses for expatriates holding Article 18 residency was a nail in the coffin of the commercial movement in the country. No matter how hard the ministry tries to patch it up, it will not be able to eliminate the negative effects left by the decision.

If the Ministry of Commerce and Industry claims that the decision was made based on a directive from the Public Authority for Manpower, it means that the latter’s decisions may not always serve the public interest.

For example, the policy of denying residency renewals for expatriates over 60 years old, along with the requirement of presenting academic certificates for the renewal of residencies, even for those who have been in the country for over 40 years, continue to impede the development of projects and businesses. It is evident from all this that the goal appears to be to shackle the national economy, whether intentionally or not, under the guise of modifying the demographic structure. This notion seems unrealistic, especially given our current state of development and the ongoing need for expatriates.

The additional fingerprint mandated by the Civil Service Commission has only added to the confusion. It reflects a lack of trust in the large workforce, which should be focused on enhancing productivity rather than being distracted by such measures. All these decisions and improvised steps do not stem from a sound vision. Building countries should be based on a plan with one goal, which is development for the sake of competition.

This is what China relied on in 1979 when its late president Deng Xiaoping sought the help of the British expert of Iraqi origin Elias Karkis for the renaissance that was achieved within a few years. All across the world, leaders who have driven the renaissance of their countries were not necessarily geniuses. What they had was a clear vision, determination, and a strong desire to succeed.

They sought the help of talented individuals both from inside and outside their own countries to achieve their strategic goals. That was what Singapore and many other countries did, including the Arabian Gulf countries. The leaders of the United Arab Emirates enlisted the expertise of international talent to achieve the remarkable development seen in their country. Dubai has today become a regional business and project hub, with several islands developed to contribute to the ongoing growth and advancement of the region.

Also, Qatar sought the help of minds and businesspersons from abroad, and we saw how it was able to transform into an economic power within 12 years. Similarly, Saudi Arabia sought expertise both from abroad and within the country transparently to achieve the region’s most significant renaissance. It is now reaping the benefits of this and continuing to implement its vision. All these countries opened their doors wide to those who could help.

They granted golden residencies and even citizenship to creative people in various fields. They also took steps to ensure that a visit visa can be issued within five minutes. In contrast, Kuwait continues to close its doors, refuse foreign investments, deport residents if visitors under their sponsorship delay their stay in the country for a few days, and deport residency violators. This reflects a lack of innovative thinking and has resulted in labor wages surging significantly. It seems as if no one wants to see the negative impacts on the national economy.

All these problems are highlighted by the daily press, which has become the voice of the people. It has been playing this role for a long time, even with the existence of the National Assembly, which used to work for the interests of its members. Therefore, the government must actively monitor and address what is published in the newspapers by providing clear clarifications rather than resorting to lawsuits. It should also hold regular meetings with editors-in-chief, with His Highness the Crown Prince taking the lead in this matter, especially if His Highness the Prime Minister is not available. Additionally, there should be press conferences for ministers not just for image management, but to highlight any achievements, if any. These actions align with the leader’s vision for renaissance and reform. The press has played a crucial role from the time of independence until today, exposing mistakes and bringing them to the attention of the leadership, which then instructed the authorities to correct them.

By Ahmed Al-Jarallah
Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times