Kuwait ministers optimistic ahead of new legislative term

Several ministers stressed the importance of cooperation between the executive and legislative branches through working on a spirit of brotherhood and giving in order to achieve the aspirations of the Kuwaiti people. Deputy Premier and Minister of Oil Mustafa Al-Shimali described as "positive" a dinner banquet hosted by the National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim in the honour of the two political branches. He said the event reflected the "true atmosphere the people of Kuwait have been used to," referring to the positivity he had witnessed which he hoped would continue over the new incoming legislative term. For her part, State Minister for Parliament Affairs and State Minister for Planning and Development affairs Rola Dashti said that both sides were keen for the event to be one that gathers them together and supports their cooperation for the greater good of the nation. "The progress and prosperity of Kuwait is the goal of us all, In spite of our differences there remain common points that we can build upon in order to create working mechanisms that serve national interests, especially those related to development. "Where I'm concerned I will remain cooperative with all in order to work on grouping together as opposed to separating us all to make Kuwait a collective symbol of political and national work," she added. Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Nayef Al-Hajraf said that "the huge gathering reflects article 50 of the constitution on cooperation between the (executive and legislative) branches," and that such events run in line with the historic interactions of people in the country. Meanwhile, Minister of Commerce and Industry Anas Al-Saleh expressed optimism that cooperation would be fruitful between both sides in the upcoming term. Some of the ministers also spoke of the draft laws pertaining to their respective ministries they hoped would see the light in the coming period. Dual minister of education and higher education Al-Hajraf said that these included the public universities law and a law on the regulation of private education, while minister of commerce and industry Al-Saleh hoped for laws on a commercial registry and another on commercial agents. For her part, Minister of Social Affairs and Labour Thikra Al-Rashidi expressed hope the child law, the juvenile law and others on nurseries would be adopted.