Cabinet Approves Draft Decree-Law on Unified Excise Tax Agreement

The Cabinet approved, during its meeting today, a draft decree-law regarding the Unified Excise Tax Agreement for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and its amendment annex, and submitted it to His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The Cabinet was also briefed on the details of the reception hosted by His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, in the presence of His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister, with the Prime Minister of the friendly Republic of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, and her accompanying delegation, during her official visit to the country last Friday. During the reception, the cordial bilateral relations between the State of Kuwait and the friendly Republic of Italy were reviewed, highlighting their continuous development across various fields, alongside discussions on ways to enhance, develop, and broaden the scope of bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries, particularly in economic and defense sectors, in a manner that serves their mutual interests. Several issues and topics of common interest were also discussed, along with the latest developments and updates in the regional and international arenas.

This visit culminated in the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in promoting direct investment between the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority and the Italian Trade Agency, as well as a memorandum of understanding on military cooperation in advisory and training fields between the Kuwait National Guard and the Italian Carabinieri forces, which are part of the Italian Ministry of Defense. Additionally, a letter of intent was signed between the Kuwait Ministry of Defense and Leonardo S.p.A. regarding the development of defense capabilities and industrial cooperation.

On another note, the Cabinet expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of the continued terrorist attacks launched by the Houthi militia over the past days against several areas in the friendly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including an attempt to target the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah using two ballistic missiles, as well as the blatant attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, which resulted in two deaths and injured others. The Cabinet emphasized that these cowardly and despicable attacks constitute a blatant violation of the sanctity of Islamic holy sites, a disregard for their religious significance, an affront to the feelings of Muslims, and a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the friendly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a blatant breach of international law and international humanitarian law. It stressed that the continued targeting of civilian airports and vital facilities represents a serious escalation and a direct threat to civilian lives and the safety of air navigation, necessitating a firm international stance to halt these attacks and hold those responsible accountable. The Cabinet reaffirmed the State of Kuwait’s absolute solidarity with and support for the friendly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in all measures it takes to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and the protection of the Two Holy Mosques, and to preserve their sanctity, emphasizing that the security of the Kingdom is an integral part of the security of the State of Kuwait and the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

For its part, the Cabinet expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of the terrorist attack that targeted a church in Karak Governorate in the friendly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan last Friday, which resulted in several deaths and injuries. It reiterated its firm rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism targeting places of worship and instilling fear in the innocent, and affirmed the State of Kuwait’s full solidarity with the friendly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and its standing by its side in all measures taken to preserve its security and stability.

On another note, the Cabinet heard a briefing from Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Al-Salim Al-Sabah regarding his participation in the inauguration ceremony of the memorial to Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, which was held last Saturday in the U.S. capital, Washington, in the presence of Kuwait’s Ambassador to the United States, Sheikh Al-Zain Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah. The memorial commemorates the nation’s resilience and the sacrifices of its people, and underscores the values of friendship, alliance, and peace for future generations. It honors the efforts and sacrifices of the U.S. forces and coalition forces that participated in the liberation of Kuwait in 1991, and serves as a tribute to the role of the United States in leading an exceptional international coalition comprising more than 30 countries, whose forces joined the Kuwaiti Armed Forces in defense of Kuwait’s sovereignty and its people’s right to freedom.

On another note, the Cabinet also heard a briefing from Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jaraah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on the political and diplomatic efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its diplomatic missions abroad to keep pace with the latest developments on the regional and international scenes. In this context, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jaraah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah informed the Cabinet about the substance of telephone calls he conducted and received over the past days with his counterparts, the foreign ministers of several brotherly and friendly countries. These calls reviewed the bilateral relations linking Kuwait with those countries, as well as discussed the latest regional and international developments, within the framework of continuous coordination and consultation between Kuwait and those countries.

On another note, Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Mohammed Al-Mashaan informed the Cabinet about laying the foundation stone last Monday for the project to study, design, construct, operate, and maintain the North Kabd Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is an extension of the existing facility. The ceremony was attended by Yang Xin, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kuwait, along with several ministry officials and representatives of the Chinese company executing the project. She emphasized that the project is implemented in accordance with the high directives of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah; and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister, who place great emphasis and care on infrastructure and sustainable development projects, in pursuit of realizing the aspirations of the nation’s citizens for a better future. She noted that this project is among the major strategic initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works to develop the country’s sewage system in line with development plans and to enhance environmental sustainability.

On another note, the Council of Ministers reviewed the visual presentation delivered by Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Mohammed Al-Mashaan on the latest developments and the executive status regarding contracts for maintenance and rehabilitation projects of the main expressway network, cleaning of the rainwater drainage network, lane planning, and installation of traffic signs on these roads, as well as the contract for the development project of the road network and infrastructure at Kuwait International Airport’s new Terminal 2 (T2). It also reviewed contracts for major maintenance projects of internal streets across all governorates and regions of the State of Kuwait. The Council emphasized the Ministry of Public Works’ commitment to intensifying supervision, follow-up, and field oversight of companies executing these projects to monitor the latest developments, verify completion rates, and assess on-the-ground progress, ensuring that companies adhere to quality standards in accordance with the highest approved technical specifications.

For his part, the Council of Ministers stressed the importance of executing these projects according to the specified timeline to accelerate completion rates and enhance maintenance standards, thereby ensuring the safety of road users and reducing congestion and traffic bottlenecks on main expressways and internal streets in various areas of the State of Kuwait, while guaranteeing smooth traffic flow across the country.

On another note, the Council of Ministers reviewed the minutes of the meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Public Services, which included several items, the most prominent of which was a report by the Green Urban Development Initiatives Committee regarding initiatives submitted by a number of state-owned oil sector companies, private sector companies, cooperative societies, and individuals. These initiatives pertained to ornamental landscaping and greening of several main streets, certain sites and squares in the country, and public parks in some residential areas, in addition to painting several major bridges in various governorates of the State of Kuwait. The Council of Ministers approved these initiatives, expressing its gratitude and appreciation for such efforts that support the state’s endeavors to develop ornamental landscaping in Kuwait and highlight its civilized character. It commended the efforts made by the Governor of Ahmadi, Sheikh Hamoud Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Chairman of the Green Urban Development Initiatives Committee, and the committee members in fostering a spirit of initiative and social responsibility, and in encouraging entities and individuals to contribute to beautifying and greening green spaces in the country, creating a suitable urban environment, and achieving sustainable development.

The Council of Ministers also reviewed several agenda items, reports, and minutes from ministerial committees and approved them. It also decided to refer some of these items to the relevant ministerial committees for study and to submit appropriate recommendations to complete the procedures for their implementation.