KUWAIT CITY, Sept 26: The Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) announced the restoration of 30% of internet service via international cables as an alternative to the severed Falcon cable, effective at 2:00 a.m. on Thursday.

n a statement on its official account on X, CITRA indicated that efforts are ongoing to fully restore internet service within the next 24 hours. Earlier, the authority reported that the Falcon submarine cable, operated by GCX, had been cut in the section linking Kuwait to Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, in an area outside Kuwaiti territorial waters, resulting in a decline in internet service quality across the country.

The weak internet connection caused by a damaged submarine communication cable on Wednesday did not affect the operations of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and its subsidiaries. Sources confirmed that the corporation and its subsidiaries are good in dealing with technological crises through the application of the best standards in this regard, especially since they use the latest operational technological support systems and the most secure technologies to protect their electronic network from cyber attacks, as the corporation is fully aware of the importance of cyber security.

Sources disclosed the corporation regularly strengthens the protection of its database, in addition to conducting training courses for its employees in the technology sector; while it constantly develops and maintains its technological systems to quickly address technological crises.

Sources also affirmed that in 2025, KPC will focus on major foreign projects through partnerships with major international oil companies and the acquisition of oil projects, in addition to the expansion of its external refining capabilities to dispose of huge quantities of Kuwaiti oil. The source said it is currently studying the possibility of increasing the refining capacity of its foreign refineries – Milazzo in Italy and Duqm in the Sultanate of Oman. Sources added the Nghi Son Refinery in Vietnam increased its production capacity, as it has been operating at a rate of not less than 115 percent of its previous production since the completion of maintenance works.

Sources stated the refinery is also polishing its marketing policy in a bid to export Kuwaiti oil to other refineries in various markets in Europe and Asia. Sources revealed KPC has succeeded in entering the African markets and it is now working hard to increase its share in Africa, particularly in selling diesel and jet fuel. Sources stated the corporation is currently studying various ways to increase its profits and that of its subsidiaries in the coming years, as well as allowing the private sector to enter the manufacturing industries and promising investment opportunities that the corporation will provide in partnership with the private sector.

By Najeh Bilal
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff and Agencies