KUWAITIS has many concerns. Without a doubt, HH the Prime Minister-designate and the future Cabinet should take into consideration the concerns of the people. The Cabinet and its leadership must benefit from past experiences, so as not to repeat the old approach that led to many crises in the country. Among these concerns are the weakness of the national product due to dependence on unstable sources and lack of other elements that help in maximizing national production, especially in the industrial and food infrastructure, as well as strategic services and partnerships with major institutions in this field.

For example, in the industrial sector, the basis is to create a partnership between the public and private sectors. The Build-Operate- Transfer (BOT) system came about for this purpose. However, the system was exposed to many obstacles on the part of officials in several ministries. For instance, the industrial establishment’s license is renewed every year; while factories in other countries are given 49 years renewable. When the Constitution was drawn up and the National Assembly was freely elected, everyone was singing that this would be a good omen for the country’s development projects.

The first goal is to diversify sources of income. This is an urgent need for the new Kuwait, as the country lacks components and resources that would fully wean it off oil dependence. For this reason, some laws were put in place, but obstacles were erected soon through the parliamentary or ministerial practices whose owners sought to share projects. This was a devastating blow to the industrial, agricultural and service renaissance.

Therefore, Kuwait, up to this day, imports even tissue paper and basic medical supplies like gauze and others that can be manufactured locally, while food security has become news headline. Meanwhile, in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries have been established. They achieved food security and many others that meet their needs and they have started exporting their products.

This is due to the fact that public administration has a solid foundation -- to work for the State, not in the interest of individuals. For this reason, industrialists were given all the incentives and financial facilities. The BOT system has become a source of diversification of national income, which reached very high levels in recent years. Indeed, all other countries invest in infrastructure through the BOT system.

In Kuwait, the opposite happened, as envy began to work in the hearts of some ministers and parliamentarians. What happened to one of Kuwait’s most famous landmarks could be an example, as one of the commerce ministers tried to destroy this large project. I mean, ‘The Avenues’. Nevertheless, the patience and wisdom of those in charge of the project, and their commitment to work within the purview of the law thwarted the sabotage efforts. Thanks to them for preserving this great landmark. In light of absurd, ill-considered and improvised procedures, it is impossible to continue working.

For example, if someone makes a mistake, everyone is punished; while logic says that accountability should be for him alone. In this manner, everyone benefits through development, instead of exaggerating the situation as it has been happening to us. Therefore, we raise our voice about modernizing the BOT system, and for HH the Prime Minister and the entire government to work on this; because, simply put, Kuwait cannot rise without incentives for industrialists and farmers.

Vacant land has no value if it remains as it is; but when something is built on it, the value doubles, thanks to the constructions on it on one hand. On the other hand, it constitutes a factor of stability for the country and reduces unemployment. All Kuwaitis are demanding for revival of the national industry. This must be one of the most important priorities of HH the Prime Minister-designate and the future government. Envy and miserliness should not be the bases, because that would mean further decline in Kuwait. We do not believe that Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah wants that, as the lives of great people are written through their actions.

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

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