Latest news with #KhaledAl-Ajmi
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait revives co-op Kuwaitization plan with new online hiring system
KUWAIT: Kuwait's Ministry of Social Affairs announced Thursday that it will open online applications for supervisory positions in cooperative societies starting July 27, as part of the country's broader Kuwaitization strategy aimed at placing more citizens in leadership roles across key sectors. The move comes nearly a year after the ministry temporarily suspended earlier initiatives to Kuwaitize the sector. For the first time, candidates will be required to take an electronic exam on September 9, organized in cooperation with the Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST), according to the ministry's Acting Undersecretary Dr Khaled Al-Ajmi. 'In a first since appointments in co-ops began, the ministry will require applicants to take an electronic test,' Al-Ajmi told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), adding that passing with a score above 80 percent is mandatory to qualify for the in-person interview stage. The exam will count for more than 80 percent of the final evaluation, while the interview will account for 15 percent. The decision is part of a wider national effort to prioritize citizens for employment and address what officials have described as the country's 'demographic imbalance.' In 2023, the ministry launched its first round of Kuwaitization efforts in co-ops, posting supervisory jobs in five co-ops — Nuzha, Qortuba, Faiha, Jabriya, and Qadisiya — for positions such as directors, deputy directors, and department heads. A special committee was assigned to oversee the process. However, sources noted that turnout was lower than expected, citing job security concerns. Since then, the ministry has been working to expand the scope of the Kuwaitization initiative. In July 2024, it introduced a new vision that included general roles such as legal accountants, procurement clerks, and store managers. In January 2025, Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of State for Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah announced the formation of a new committee tasked with overcoming obstacles in hiring Kuwaitis. Al-Ajmi emphasized that the new electronic test is intended to ensure fairness and transparency in the hiring process. 'The goal is to enhance transparency, equal opportunity, and job justice in selecting candidates,' he said, noting that a free, optional training course will be made available for applicants to prepare. Salaries for the available supervisory positions range from KD 1,000 to KD 2,000 depending on the role and its responsibilities, Al-Ajmi added. Assistant Director-General of the Public Authority of Manpower Musaed Al-Mutairi confirmed that the authority has activated a digital system to register and advertise vacancies submitted by co-ops. The job opportunities will be published through the 'Fakhrona' platform dedicated to hiring Kuwaiti nationals. Applications can be submitted via the authority's online portal or through the Sahel app, Al-Mutairi told KUNA. He added that cooperative societies are a promising space for young Kuwaitis to gain leadership experience, thanks to their community-focused and administratively flexible nature. — Agencies
Arab Times
14-07-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
More power use in June scorcher
KUWAIT CITY, July 14: The statistics issued by the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy for the month of June showed that the national electricity grid imported 612,692 megawatt-hours, with a daily average of 850 megawatts, through the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA). The newspaper obtained a copy of the statistics, indicating that the highest electrical load reached 17,520 megawatts on June 16 -- an increase of 710 megawatts or 6.6 percent compared to the highest load in the same month last year, which reached 16,810 megawatts. The temperature at that time reached 51 degrees Celsius, compared to 50 degrees Celsius in the previous year. Meanwhile, the lowest electrical load was recorded on June 5; reaching 10,280 megawatts -- a decrease of 1,150 megawatts or 6.1 percent compared to the lowest load in June last year, which reached 11,430 megawatts. The statistics also stated that the total electrical load for new customers reached 77,822,746 kilowatts. In addition, the freshwater statistics for June showed that the maximum net daily water consumption reached 517.459 million imperial gallons on June 4; while the maximum daily storage reached 4,300.573 million imperial gallons at the end of the same month. In a related development, the statistics revealed that the ministry supplied electricity to 627 new customers in various housing sectors within the same month -- 559 in private housing, 32 in government housing, 18 in the investment sector, nine in the agricultural sector, five in the industrial sector and four in the commercial sector. MoSA admin orders: Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) Dr. Khaled Al-Ajmi issued administrative decisions that included extending the secondment and transfer of some officials in a bid to regulate workflow and develop institutional performance. The decisions stipulate extending the secondment and transfer of Awareness and Guidance Department Director Bader Al-Azmi to the position of Director of the Awareness and Guidance Center; as well as the transfer of Payroll Controller Abdul Mohsen Al-Makhyal to the position of Controller at the Charitable Societies and Endowments Department, Controller at the Charitable Societies and Endowments Department Asim Al-Failakawi to the position of Controller at the Development and Membership Affairs Department, Head of the Elderly Department (Women) Huda Al-Mutairi to the position of Head of the Administrative Support Department, and Head of the Mobile Services Department in Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate Kholoud Al-Khalidi to the position of Head of the Elderly Department (Women).
Arab Times
06-07-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
MEW targets smart water meter overhaul
KUWAIT CITY, July 6: The Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy on Sunday announced in the Official Gazette (Kuwait Al-Youm) that it added a tender for the supply, installation, operation, and maintenance of smart water meters to its annual plan for the current fiscal year. Reliable sources said the tender contract includes the installation, operation, and maintenance of smart water meters, their software and networks, as well as the replacement of mechanical meters with smart meters in all governorates. Sources indicated that the contract will be floated as a public tender through the Central Agency for Public Tenders (CAPT) to specialized companies classified by the agency, and the latter will set the date for opening the bidding envelopes. Once the companies submit their bids to CAPT, it will refer the bids to the ministry as the beneficiary entity for review and preparation of technical recommendations to decide on awarding the best financial and technical bid, sources added. Sources stated that the ministry formed a specialized committee tasked to prepare the specifications and technical requirements for the smart meter tender, affirming that the committee recently completed the task. Sources pointed out that when the committee prepared the specifications, it took into account the necessity of ensuring that the meters to be supplied are suitable for the climate of Kuwait, as is the case in other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Sources added the ministry will set the terms and specifications reached through the committee, obligating the best bidder to implement them once the contract is awarded. Sources confirmed that the ministry is focusing on the tender, considering the smart water meters will contribute to ongoing efforts to rationalize water consumption and eliminate waste that costs the public treasury millions of Kuwaiti dinars in desalination and freshwater production. Meanwhile, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs Dr. Khaled Al-Ajmi held an extensive meeting with directors and supervisors at the Social Welfare and Development Sector to discuss work mechanisms and develop shared visions for improving institutional performance and meeting the needs of beneficiary groups. During the meeting, Al-Ajmi emphasized the importance of integrating roles between the departments in the sector and the supervisory bodies, as well as the need to intensify field and administrative efforts and develop work mechanisms in line with the developmental orientations of the State. Al-Ajmi confirmed that the ministry is moving forward with its development and modernization processes by reevaluating the methodologies used and strengthening partnerships among its sectors, aimed at consolidating institutional work and achieving a tangible and sustainable social impact. He said the ministry is keen on fully supporting social work and providing the necessary capabilities to ensure the success of programs and initiatives within an integrated strategy that puts citizens at the heart of its priorities, believing that social welfare is a joint national responsibility.
Kuwait Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait reviews UAE, Saudi models as part of charity sector overhaul
ABU DHABI/RIYADH: A delegation from Kuwait's Committee for Regulating Humanitarian and Charitable Work, led by Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs Dr Khaled Al-Ajmi, visited the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia this week to learn from their experience in charitable and humanitarian work. The visits are part of a series of several to GCC countries. Chaired by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, the committee is responsible for reviewing and developing laws related to charitable and humanitarian work, enhancing governance, and regulating licensing and donations to improve the efficiency and mechanisms of charitable efforts in line with international best practices. Sector overhaul The visits come after Kuwait halted all charitable fundraising pending the rollout of stricter procedures to curb unauthorized donation campaigns. Licensed charities face penalties — from account suspension to full operational shutdown — if they violate the suspension. These measures build on early-2025 reforms, namely the introduction of a centralized aid-coordination platform, and on the dissolution of over 30 charities since November 2024. They also support Kuwait's push to strengthen financial controls and align with FATF anti-money-laundering standards, safeguarding donor funds and preserving Kuwait's global humanitarian standing. Adapting successful practices In Riyadh, the Kuwaiti delegation examined Saudi Arabia's systems for humanitarian work, including integrated governance and oversight frameworks, transparency protocols and international trust-building measures. The delegation also held high-level meetings with Saudi officials to explore opportunities for cooperation, particularly in humanitarian and charitable fields and non-profit sector development. In Abu Dhabi, Dr Al-Ajmi emphasized Kuwait's intent to benefit from successful experiences and adapt inspiring practices to suit Kuwait's local context, with the goal of enhancing its humanitarian work system and improving governance efficiency. Documenting transfers As part of the committee's commitment to developing Kuwait's charitable work system, the delegation visited several public and private institutions in the UAE, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to understand financial governance mechanisms for charitable transfers. They also toured the Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Impact and the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Activities. 'What the committee delegation witnessed during the visit reflects the UAE's commitment to a modern, holistic approach to charitable and humanitarian work,' where digital solutions are integrated with humanitarian values, and institutions are managed under precise governance systems that ensure the sustainability and integrity of resources and a measurable impact on beneficiaries locally and globally, said Dr Al-Ajmi. The delegation also reviewed several operational practices from UAE institutions, including digital systems for tracking and documenting financial transfers, distributing aid, and measuring the impact of initiatives. — Agencies
Kuwait Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait underscores vital role of non-profit sector in Gulf development
RIYADH: Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs Dr Khaled Al-Ajmi affirmed that the non-profit sector has become a key driver of comprehensive development, given its dynamic human and societal resources and its capacity to foster community-based initiatives that bolster social stability and improve quality of life. Speaking during a panel session at the Gulf Non-Profit Sector Forum, held as part of the third International ENA Exhibition in Riyadh, Dr Al-Ajmi underscored the importance of forging strategic partnerships between the non-profit, public, and private sectors. 'We believe in an integrated development vision that promotes sustainability and empowers all components of society,' he said. Highlighting the strategic significance of investing in the non-profit sector, Dr Al-Ajmi stated, 'Safe investment in this sector is not a luxury, but a national necessity and a strategic choice adopted by advanced nations to maintain social balance, enhance productivity, and deepen community engagement.' Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Dr Khaled Al-Ajmi Gulf Forum for the Non-Profit Sector. – KUNA photos He pointed to the successful Gulf experiences presented at the forum as practical models, offering a clear roadmap for institutional development and sectoral integration. 'These are not mere theoretical exercises but actionable frameworks that can elevate performance across entities and contribute to a sustainable development model rooted in shared expertise,' he said. Dr Al-Ajmi concluded by extending his appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its warm hospitality and excellent organization of the forum. He also lauded the efforts of the Executive Office of the GCC Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs, as well as the GCC General Secretariat, for their effective coordination of the forum's dialogue sessions. The session also featured a presentation by Director of the Civil Society Associations Department at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Iman Al-Enezi, who outlined Kuwait's achievements in promoting financial sustainability among non-profit organizations. She said Kuwait has adopted a comprehensive institutional framework rooted in transparency, governance, and empowerment, enabling civil and charitable associations to diversify their income sources through legislative, financial, and regulatory reforms. 'We now have pioneering national models of community leadership that can be leveraged at the Gulf and Arab levels,' Al-Enezi said. She explained that Kuwaiti non-profit organizations rely on a mix of government funding, private sector support, individual donations, and charitable endowments—strengthening their independence and operational flexibility. Al-Enezi praised the Gulf Forum as an effective platform for exchanging experiences and aligning development goals, reaffirming Kuwait's firm commitment to supporting joint Gulf action and enhancing civil society performance. The Kuwaiti delegation to the forum was led by Dr Khaled Al-Ajmi and included Iman Al-Enezi and Director of the Charitable Organizations Department, Abdulaziz Al-Ajmi. The forum is part of the implementation of recommendations from the 10th meeting of GCC Ministers of Social Affairs and reflects ongoing efforts to consolidate sustainable community partnerships and reinforce the role of non-profit institutions in advancing the development agenda of GCC states. — KUNA
