On Thursday, March 13, the Cabinet of Kuwait convened at Bayan Palace for its weekly meeting, chaired by Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah. The meeting covered several national issues, including financial policies, pension reforms, upcoming holidays, and major projects aimed at improving the business environment in Kuwait.
At the start of the meeting, the Cabinet received updates on recent visits by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, along with His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, to various key security and defense institutions. The visits, which took place earlier in the week, highlighted the leadership’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the capabilities of the nation’s defense forces and ensuring the security of Kuwait. His Highness the Amir expressed his pride in the nation’s armed forces and reaffirmed his dedication to advancing military technology to safeguard the country’s stability.
During the session, the Cabinet also discussed the recent extraordinary Arab summit in Cairo, which was attended by His Highness the Crown Prince. In his address, the Crown Prince highlighted the urgency of addressing the Palestinian cause, condemning the ongoing violence and destruction in Gaza. He called for immediate international intervention to stop Israeli aggression and prevent the displacement of Palestinian people, stressing the importance of a unified Arab position on the issue.
On domestic matters, the Cabinet reviewed the resignation of Dr. Mahmoud Abdulaziz Bushehri, the former Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy. The Council expressed its gratitude for his service and wished him well in the future.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved a three-day public holiday for Eid al-Fitr. The official break will begin on Sunday, March 30, 2025, if Eid falls on that day, with work resuming on Wednesday, April 2. If Eid starts on Monday, March 31, the holiday will extend from Sunday through Thursday, April 3, with work resuming on Sunday, April 6.
Another significant development discussed during the meeting was the launch of the smart license project, presented by Minister of Commerce and Industry, Khalifa Abdullah Al-Ajil Al-Askar. This initiative aims to simplify the process of obtaining commercial and regulatory licenses by utilizing advanced digital technologies. The project seeks to unify and streamline licensing procedures, enhancing transparency and improving Kuwait’s business environment. The Cabinet expressed its appreciation for the efforts behind this initiative, which aligns with Kuwait Vision 2035 for digital transformation.
The Cabinet also addressed the issue of exceptional pensions under Article (80) of the Social Insurance Law. Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment Noura Al-Fassam presented a proposal to reduce these pensions to eliminate budgetary waste and promote fairness. The proposal is part of broader efforts to rationalize government spending and ensure fairness in the social insurance system.
Lastly, the Council approved the minutes from the Supreme Committee for the Investigation of Kuwaiti Nationality, addressing issues related to nationality loss and withdrawal. The decisions are in line with the provisions of Decree Law No. (15) of 1959 and its amendments, ensuring that the process aligns with national laws and regulations.
The meeting concluded with a review of various other agenda items, some of which were approved, while others were referred to ministerial committees for further study and action.
