A
y
e niv rsar n
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2011
LOCAL
Years
New shelter for runaway maids KUWAIT: The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor(MSAL) plans to inaugurate a shelter that can accommodate 900 individuals in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, said a senior ministry official on Tuesday. This shelter will replace smaller ones that were inaugurated by the ministry in 2007 but can only house 60 domestic helpers who flee sponsor’s residences. “We try to find solutions to troubled workers either by resolving their problems or help them return to their home countries within a couple of weeks,” said Director Hadi AlEnizy in statements made to reporters covering the visit of an international team. It checked Kuwait’s efforts to protect lowwage workers from human trafficking. “We will deal with every case from the point of
view of the maid as the victim,” Al-Enizy said, adding that investigations often reveal that some runaway workers have actually been mistreated. “We make sure to provide them with therapy under the expert supervision of psychiatric and social specialists,” he added. Al-Enizy pointed out that the shelter is supported by the Interior and Health Ministries that provide additional requirements. He added that the Foreign and Justice ministries will join hands once inauguration is completed. In the meantime, an MSAL source who preferred to speak on condition of anonymity revealed plans to create a mechanism to use charity from Al-Zakat House to pay for air tickets that house maids are unable to pay otherwise. — Al-Qabas
Kuwait, Greece discuss boosting cooperation KUWAIT: Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr Amani Bouresli discussed yesterday with visiting Chairman of the ArabGreek Chamber of Commerce and Development Christos Folias prospects of upgrading level of economic and commercial relations between Kuwait and Greece. Bouresli and Folias discussed, during a meeting, issues of common interest and plans for boosting investment cooperation, according to a statement released by the ministry. The Greek side requested that Kuwait dispatch to the European country a senior-level delegation, representing the private sector and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, to discuss activation of bilateral accords and prospects of giving greater role to the private sector to boost commercial cooperation. The meeting
was attended by Undersecretary of Commerce Abdulaziz Al-Khaldi, assistant undersecretary for the foreign investment bureau, Sheikh Meshaal Jaber Al-Sabah, and assistant undersecretary for international organizations affairs and intellectual rights, Sheikh Nimer Fahad Al-Sabah. On Tuesday, Folias urged Kuwaiti entrepreneurs to invest in Greece saying that the financial crisis in his country resulted in some lucrative opportunities. Addressing a meeting with representatives of Kuwait Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Folias assured attendees about his government keenness on offering all needed facilities for incoming Kuwaiti businessmen. Volume of Greek exports to Kuwait reached approximately USD 22 million in 2007 and dropped to USD 19 million last year. — KUNA
GCC states not affected by Arab uprisings KUWAIT: Secretary General of GCC States Dr Abdul Lateef Al-Zayani said that GCC states are in “good shape”. He was responding to a question about the position of GCC states given the current Arab revolutions. Al-Zayani expressed hope that the Libyan scenario would not be played in Syria and wished that Syria would accept the Arab League initiative. He said that GCC states support all Arab League resolutions in this aspect.
On being asked whether there was a difference in opinion among GCC states over Jordan and Morocco joining the GCC, AlZayyani said that there were none. He also said that all GCC states are in agreement to start a strategic cooperation with Jordan and Morocco. On relations with Iran, AlZayyani said “We do not allow any intervention in our internal affairs” and expressed hope that the relation between Gulf and Iran develops over time. — Al-Anba
KUWAIT: Electric heaters being sold at Mubarakiya market yesterday.— Photos by Ben Garcia
Electric heaters sell like ‘hotcakes’ Cold weather generates 20% higher sales By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: Electric heaters are selling like hotcakes in Kuwait City, thanks to cold winds blowing from Siberia, where the temperature drops to zero degree Celsius at night. Almost every electronic store in Mubarakiya market admitted that the sale of heaters generated 20 percent more profits this year. One store admits to selling 15 to 20 units per day last week. However, prices vary according to the brand. There are a selection of electric heaters available from China, Germany, Korea, Japan and Bulgaria. China-made heaters are the cheapest, but also the best selling when compared to the electric heaters manufactured in Japan and Germany. Prices typically fall between KD 3 and 60. “The price of electric heaters soared this year. Maybe
because of the demand and the fact that last year was warmer,” said a shop attendant yesterday. “Most of the heaters being sold now are old stocks from last year. This year we are experiencing colder weather compared to the previous year. So people are rushing to buy electric heaters,” he added. Temperature in some parts of Kuwait drop to zero degrees Celsius at night, while the highest temperature recorded is 19 degree Celsius during the day. It is expected to lower even more, a meteorologist predicted. “My wife told me to buy a heater for our small children. I think they really need a heater this time. I don’t really need them at all, but it’s good for my kids,” commented a 38year-old Syrian man who was shopping for electric heaters in Mubarakiya. Some local dailies claimed that prices of electric heaters have risen by an average of thirty to
forty percent compared to last year. “Yes, prices are a bit higher compared to last year because of the demand,” he said. But another shop attendant told Kuwait Times that prices of electric heaters remained stable when compared to previous year. “I don’t know about other shops but what I have observed is that there are no drastic price changes. It’s basically the same price,” he added. Another customer who was seen buying a Chinamade brand said, “I only need it for a temporary period, so I bought a China-made one. It is cheaper. If I were to use it for longer, definitely I would consider buying German or Japanese electric heaters.” Many shoppers agreed that some shops tried to make up for losses they suffered in the previous years when demand for heaters were low due to relatively warmer winters.
Abdullah Al-Mubarak foundation sponsors ‘Best Book on Mideast’ LONDON: The British-Kuwaiti Friendship Society held its annual celebration here on Tuesday evening on the occasion of awarding the special prize for the best book published in English on Middle East studies, under the auspices of Abdullah Al-Mubarak Charity Foundation. The ceremony, which was held at the house of the Kuwaiti Ambassador and head of the diplomatic corps in the United Kingdom Khaled Al-Duwaisan, coincided with Kuwait’s 50th Independence Day, the 20th Liberation Day, and the 5th anniversary of His Highness the Amir’s assumption of power. Al-Duwaisan, who also
heads the Kuwaiti side at the British-Kuwaiti Friendship Society, welcomed the participants at the ceremony, describing the award, in its 13th year, as “unique”. He emphasized the impor tance of this annual award towards strengthening cultural links between Kuwait and the UK, pointing out Britain’s significant role in scientific studies, especially those related to the Middle East issues. Also, he added that the UK is the most knowledgeable and understanding country on the history of the Middle East and its people, praising the active role that Abdullah AlMubarak Charity Foundation and Sheikh
Mubarak Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah play in this field. On his part, Sheikh Mubarak Al-Abdullah AlMubarak Al-Sabah thanked, as representative of the organization, the publishers, academic professors, and judges of this special prize, noting this award aims to reinforce the understanding among English speaking countries on the Middle East. He expressed hope that these winning books would contribute in giving a more in-depth explanation on the current situation in the Arab world, saying that the Middle Eastern people now enjoy the freedom of expression, accountability, and transparency. —KUNA