Cabinet Approves GCC Selective Tax Agreement

The Cabinet held its meeting yesterday, presided over by His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, Prime Minister. Following the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Sharidh Al-Muwasharji, issued the following statement:

At the outset of its meeting, the Cabinet was 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-Salim Al-Sabah, Prime Minister, for Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her accompanying delegation, on the occasion of her official visit to Kuwait last Friday. The meeting discussed ways to enhance, develop, and expand bilateral cooperation between the two countries, particularly in economic and defense sectors, in a manner that serves their mutual interests. Additionally, several issues and topics of common interest were 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 the fields of advice and training between the Kuwait National Guard and the Italian Carabinieri forces under 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 neighboring Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including an attempt to target Mecca and Medina with two ballistic missiles, as well as the blatant attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, which resulted in two deaths and several injuries. It affirmed that these cowardly and disgraceful attacks constitute a blatant violation of the sanctity of Islamic holy sites, a disregard for their religious status, an affront to the feelings of Muslims, a blatant violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty, and a flagrant 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. It reiterated Kuwait’s absolute solidarity with the Kingdom and its support for all measures taken to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and the protection of the Two Holy Mosques, and to preserve their sanctity. It affirmed 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.

On another note, the Cabinet expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of the terrorist attack that targeted a church in Al-Karak Governorate in the neighboring Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which resulted in several deaths and injuries last Friday. It affirmed its firm rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism targeting places of worship and terrorizing the innocent, and reiterated Kuwait’s full solidarity with the 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 listened to a briefing provided by Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ali regarding his participation in the opening ceremony of the memorial for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, which was held last Saturday in Washington, D.C., in the presence of Kuwait’s Ambassador to the United States, Sheikha Al-Zain Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah. This memorial commemorates the steadfastness and sacrifices of the nation and 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 Kuwait’s liberation war in 1991, and serves as a reminder of the role of the United States in leading an exceptional international coalition comprising more than 30 countries, whose forces united alongside the Kuwaiti Armed Forces to defend Kuwait’s sovereignty and its people’s right to freedom.

The Cabinet also listened to a briefing provided by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jaraheh Jaber Al-Ahmad regarding the political and diplomatic efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its diplomatic missions abroad to keep pace with the latest developments in the regional and international arenas. In this context, the Minister of Foreign Affairs informed the Cabinet of the substance of the communications...

The phone calls held and received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in recent days with her counterparts, the foreign ministers of several friendly and sister states, during which the bilateral relations linking the State of Kuwait to those countries were reviewed, along with discussions of the latest developments on the regional and international scenes, within the framework of continuous coordination and consultation between the State of Kuwait and those countries.

On another note, Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan informed the Cabinet about laying the foundation stone last Monday for the project to study, design, construct, operate, and maintain the Northern Kabd Water Desalination Plant, which is a complementary facility. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Yang Xin, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the State of Kuwait, along with several senior officials from the ministry and representatives of the Chinese company implementing the project. She emphasized that this 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 Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister, who place great emphasis on and provide patronage to infrastructure projects and sustainable development, in order to realize the aspirations of the nation’s citizens for a better future. She noted that this project is among the major strategic projects implemented by the Ministry of Public Works to develop the country’s sewage system in line with development plans and to enhance environmental sustainability.

In a separate development, the Cabinet reviewed a visual presentation by the Minister of Public Works on the latest updates and the executive status regarding contracts for the maintenance and rehabilitation of the main highway road network, cleaning of the rainwater drainage network, lane planning, and installation of traffic signs on those roads. The presentation also covered the contract for the development of the road network and infrastructure at the new Kuwait International Airport (T2), as well as contracts for the fundamental maintenance of internal streets across all governorates and regions of the State of Kuwait. She stressed the Ministry’s commitment to intensifying monitoring, follow-up, and on-site supervision of companies executing these projects to stay abreast of the latest developments, verify completion rates, and assess the actual progress of work, ensuring that companies adhere to quality standards in accordance with the highest approved technical specifications.

The Cabinet emphasized the importance of implementing these projects according to the specified schedule to accelerate progress and improve maintenance standards, thereby ensuring the safety of road users, reducing congestion and traffic jams on main highways and internal streets in various regions of the State of Kuwait, and guaranteeing smooth traffic flow across the country.

The Cabinet approved a draft law regarding the Unified Excise Tax Agreement for the Cooperation Council for Arab States of the Gulf and its amendment annex, and forwarded it to His Highness the Amir of Kuwait.

The Cabinet also reviewed the minutes of the meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Public Services, which included several items, the most prominent of which was the report of the Green Urban Development Initiatives Committee regarding initiatives submitted by several state-owned oil sector companies, private sector companies, cooperative societies, and individuals. These initiatives relate to ornamental planting and greening of several main streets, certain locations and squares in the country, and public parks in some residential areas, as well as painting several main bridges in various governorates of the State of Kuwait. The Cabinet approved these initiatives, expressing its gratitude and appreciation for these efforts, which contribute to supporting the state’s endeavors to develop ornamental planting in the State of Kuwait and highlight its civilizational character, commending

The efforts made by the Governor of Ahmadi, Sheikh Hamoud Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Chairman of the Green Urban Development Initiatives Committee, and the committee members in fostering a spirit of initiative and social responsibility, and encouraging entities and individuals to contribute to beautifying and planting green spaces in the country, creating a suitable urban environment, and achieving sustainable development. The Council of Ministers reviewed several agenda items, reports, and committee briefings, and approved them. It also decided to refer some of them to the relevant ministerial committees for study and to submit appropriate recommendations to complete the procedures for their implementation.