Latest news with #SahelBusiness
Arab Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Employer Delaying Your Exit Permit? File A Complaint Now
KUWAIT CITY, July 20: Under Circular No. 2/2025 issued recently by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf requiring expatriate workers in the private sector to obtain exit permits from their registered employers before leaving the country (effective from the beginning of this month), more than 100,000 exit permits have been issued to private sector expatriate workers since the implementation of the decision. Sources said the exit permits are processed through the automated systems of PAM, Ashal platform, and Sahel app, indicating the total number of issued permits is expected to double in the coming days as the travel season gains momentum. Sources disclosed that in order to streamline the process and ensure faster completion of travel procedures, the authority completed an automated link with the Ports Directorate General at the Ministry of Interior, thereby ensuring the immediate sharing of exit permit data. Sources added PAM recommends that workers print a hard copy of the permit before traveling, in case it is requested by the airlines. Sources also affirmed that only a small number of complaints regarding permit issuance have been received so far -- mostly concerning employer delays or refusal, which were promptly addressed and resolved. Sources clarified that in cases where an employer is unreasonably withholding or delaying approval, the affected worker is advised to visit the Labor Relations Unit corresponding to their company's file to lodge a formal complaint, under legal procedures. They reiterated that approval from the employer remains a requirement for the permit to be issued. Sources also quoted PAM as saying there is no limit to the number of exit permits that can be issued annually per worker, as long as the employer approves, adding that the system remains open and unrestricted in this regard. Sources explained that the time needed to obtain a permit ( especially in emergencies) depends primarily on the speed of employer approval. 'Therefore, workers are advised to submit their requests well in advance of their travel dates and to coordinate directly with their employers in urgent situations to expedite the process,' sources elaborated. Sources pointed out that workers can either print the approved permit or present it through the Sahel Individuals app to port authorities. They said the Sahel Individuals app enables workers to submit electronic exit permit requests, while the Sahel Business app allows employers to review and approve these requests quickly and conveniently.
Arab Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait Sees Licensing Growth in Traditional and Freelance Business Sectors
KUWAIT CITY, July 16: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued 9,881 new company licenses through its Single Window Administration in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 9.4% year-on-year increase from 9,029 licenses during the same period in 2024. The growth of 852 new licenses reflects the Ministry's continued efforts to streamline business registration and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. A total of 5,940 companies were established during the quarter. This surge is attributed to a series of administrative reforms implemented by the Ministry aimed at simplifying licensing procedures, minimizing regulatory steps, and eliminating redundancies in the process of setting up and managing businesses. According to official data, commercial licensing activity saw a significant boost across multiple categories. Company licenses rose 21.3% to 8,390 from 6,919 in Q1 2024, while applications under processing increased to 514. In the segment of personal company formation, the Ministry received 14,000 applications. Of these, 8,287 were rejected, 705 were approved, 641 were canceled, and 4,526 companies were successfully established. An additional 705 are in the process of being established. Conversely, licensing activity for special-purpose companies recorded a sharp decline. Only 38 licenses were issued in the first quarter of 2025—a 97% drop compared to 1,660 licenses issued in the same quarter last year. Despite the decline, the Ministry processed 56 applications, resulting in the establishment of nine companies, with six licenses currently in issuance. Freelance Sector Sees Major Expansion The freelance and micro-enterprise segment experienced robust growth, fueled by regulatory changes introduced in August 2024. The Ministry reported a 227.25% surge in new licenses for micro and freelance enterprises, rising to 1,453 from 1,000 in Q1 2024. Currently, 42 licenses are in the process of being issued. Of the 1,649 freelance business license applications submitted, 1,449 were rejected, 705 were approved, and 1,405 companies were established. A further 114 are in the process of formation. This growth reflects the Ministry's move to support independent professionals and small-scale entrepreneurs through simplified licensing for 175 defined activities that do not require commercial premises. Licenses in this category, valid for four years, can be obtained via the Single Window Administration, the "Sahel" or "Sahel Business" mobile platforms, or other approved channels. The Ministry also mandated that all freelance license holders clearly display their license number on their business accounts across electronic and social platforms, and conduct all transactions exclusively through electronic payment methods.
Arab Times
05-07-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait plans to enhance Sahel app and broaden digital services
KUWAIT CITY, July 5: Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar on Saturday emphasized the ongoing commitment to enhance and update the government application 'Sahel,' aligning it with Kuwait's broader digitization goals and meeting the growing demand for efficient, secure digital services from citizens and residents. Al-Omar told KUNA that the Ministry recently convened an expanded meeting with Sahel's Executive Committee to assess recent developments and discuss future plans for expanding the digital services offered through the platform. He revealed that the upcoming phase will include the launch of new services and a stronger focus on integrating government agencies via improved data exchange and technical connectivity. Describing digitization as more than just a technical upgrade, the minister highlighted it as a comprehensive transformation in service delivery. 'Sahel is the practical embodiment of this approach,' he said, stressing its role as a central national platform that facilitates access to government services through a unified digital gateway. This streamlining significantly reduces time and effort for users while enhancing satisfaction with government performance. Al-Omar further stressed the importance of continued government support for the Sahel's executive committee, praising the collaborative efforts of the various teams involved. He underlined the need to intensify coordination with government agencies to accelerate the addition of new services, ensuring that 'service begins with the citizen and ends with him.' In addition to public services, the minister pointed out that the next development stage will focus heavily on advancing the Sahel Business application. This platform aims to better serve the private sector by enabling entrepreneurs and companies to complete transactions more easily and efficiently, reflecting Kuwait's comprehensive national strategy to digitize the business environment. The meeting included key figures such as Eng. Tareq Al-Darbas, Advisor to the Minister, Colonel Bashar Al-Sayed Hashem, Director of the Information Systems Department at the Ministry of Interior, Fajr Al-Yassin, Quality Control Supervisor at the Public Authority for Civil Information, and Amina Abdul Rahim, Systems Development Supervisor at the same authority. The government's ongoing digital transformation via Sahel is seen as a pivotal step toward increasing transparency, equitable access to services, and improved public spending efficiency.
Arab Times
19-06-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Sahel Business app rolls out new update for enhanced user experience
KUWAIT CITY, June 19: The unified government e-services platform Sahel has released a new update to its Sahel Business smartphone application, aimed at improving services for business owners, announced spokesperson Yousef Kazem on Wednesday. Kazem stated that the update features an upgraded digital infrastructure, a user-friendly interface, and instant notification capabilities, enhancing the overall efficiency of the application. Since its launch, Sahel Business has completed 498,927 services for 95,518 users. The application offers access to 214 electronic services related to business and commercial activities, provided by 18 government agencies in Kuwait.
Arab Times
17-06-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait To Offer Exit Permits In English For Expats Soon
KUWAIT CITY, June 17: The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) is now preparing for the implementation of the exit permit system for expatriate workers in the private sector that will take effect on July 1. The authority also reviewed the comments of relevant government agencies on the system and it has started coordinating with other concerned government agencies to activate the system. It continues to hold a series of meetings in order to address and respond to any comment. Acting Deputy Director for Planning and Administrative Development at PAM Rabab Al-Osaimi disclosed that the issuance of an exit permit through the announced systems enables the workers to avail services through the 'Easy Companies' page or 'Easy Manpower' page under the 'Labor Services' portal, in addition to the Sahel Individuals application. She confirmed that 'The new service was activated as per the directive of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousuf to protect the rights of both the workers and employers.' She said, 'Employers can now submit a request for permission to leave the country, specifying the period during which the worker is permitted to leave. The certificate containing a QR code must be printed to verify its authenticity at the ports or presented electronically through the official platforms.' She added, 'Workers can also submit the request through the Sahel Individuals app, where a special option is provided for the service and linked to the Sahel Business app. Notifications are sent directly to the worker after the employer's approval, and the certificate is then uploaded. Submitting the request and obtaining approval only takes a few minutes, as the service entails a direct link between the worker and the employer. There will be no intervention by authority employees to review the requests. The services will be launched in English soon. PAM continues to update and develop its electronic services to ensure they operate efficiently around the clock, as well as guarantee the quality, speed of implementation, and improved user experience. The increased demand for electronic services has saved effort and improved employee performance, as automated systems receive no fewer than 30,000 electronic transactions daily in various platforms and portals of the authority.'
