KUWAIT CITY, Jan 7: The Permanent Committee for the Celebration of National Holidays and Occasions has announced the organization of the "Ya Hala" shopping festival, which will take place from January 21 to March 31. The festival is part of the celebrations for the national holidays and occasions in Kuwait.

The announcement was made during a ceremony held at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center. Present at the event were the Minister of Information and Culture, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Celebrating National Holidays and Occasions, Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, along with Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information Dr. Nasser Muhaisen, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Ziad Al-Najem, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Shopping Festival Faisal Al-Shaiji, representatives of participating companies and sponsors, and various other dignitaries and stakeholders.

In his speech, Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel emphasized that the festival’s organization follows the directives of Kuwait’s political leadership and reflects the collaborative efforts between government agencies and the private sector to enhance the country’s tourism and entertainment profile. He highlighted that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry facilitated the necessary licenses and removed any potential obstacles to the festival’s success.

Al-Ajeel further underscored the importance of such festivals in driving commercial activity and supporting the local economy. He noted that the festival would stimulate various sectors, including retail, shopping malls, hotels, transportation, aviation, entertainment, tourism, restaurants, and services, among others. He also highlighted the festival’s role in promoting domestic tourism by reducing external spending and increasing local tourism expenditure by 15% to 25%.

Dr. Nasser Muhaisen, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information and Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Committee, spoke about the committee’s dedication to providing integrated events. He noted that the committee's efforts would foster collaboration between government and private sector entities and civil society, thus creating new economic opportunities, supporting small businesses, and promoting domestic tourism. Muhaisen emphasized that the committee’s primary objective was to enhance Kuwait's reputation as a leading commercial and cultural hub.

He also mentioned several initiatives selected for the upcoming period, including the "Ya Hala" shopping festival, the Mutlaa Views Festival, the Bnaider Sports Competition, and the Shining City in Subiya. He encouraged public and private sector organizations to submit their ideas and initiatives for celebrating the national holidays.

Ziad Al-Najem, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, reiterated the ministry’s full support for national festivals. He highlighted the positive impact of such events on the labor market and the state’s economy. Al-Najem also referenced the successful Gulf Zain 26 Championship as an example of effective collaboration between the public and private sectors, which resulted in significant tourism and economic benefits for the country.

Fadel Al-Dosari, CEO of the Ya Hala Festival, acknowledged Kuwait’s successful hosting of the Gulf Cup Championship and highlighted the potential of the "Ya Hala" initiative to continue the festive atmosphere in the country. He stressed that the initiative aimed to market Kuwait as a premier tourist, entertainment, cultural, and commercial destination. Al-Dosari emphasized the importance of partnership between the public and private sectors and the positive economic impact of the Kuwait Shopping Festival.

Al-Dosari extended his appreciation to the Council of Ministers and Minister Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi for their support of this national and economic initiative. During the ceremony, festival sponsors and strategic partners were honored with commemorative shields by Faisal Al-Shaiji, Chairman of the Ya Hala Festival Board of Directors.

Al-Dosari outlined the components of the "Ya Hala" festival, which will feature promotional offers, discounts, and giveaways over a 70-day period. Participating businesses, including commercial complexes, retail stores, cooperative societies, central markets, e-commerce platforms, and various sectors such as automotive, health, beauty, tourism, and hospitality, are all involved.

During the festival, shoppers will receive one coupon for every 10 dinars spent, qualifying them to enter weekly draws for prizes, including over $8 million in cash and 120 luxury cars. Each of the ten weekly draws will feature 12 luxury cars and $100,000 in cash, distributed among 100 winners.

The festival will also feature events in and outside shopping malls, including drone shows, fireworks, and activities for Gulf visitors, helping to highlight Kuwait’s cultural landmarks.

Al-Dosari reported that over 2,000 companies and branches have already registered for the festival, and registration continues daily both at the festival headquarters and online.

In summary, the "Ya Hala" festival aims to boost Kuwait’s tourism, retail, and entertainment sectors, foster public-private partnerships, and solidify Kuwait’s position as a leading destination in the region. The festival’s diverse offerings and significant prizes are expected to attract large numbers of visitors and contribute positively to the local economy.