Kuwait lifts backing for services

The Kuwaiti government intends to impose fees directly or indirectly for the services currently rendered for free by the state to citizens.

In a statement he made in Kuwait on Sunday, Kuwaiti Minister of Trade, Industry, Social Affairs and Labor Abdul Wahab al-Wazzan said it "has to be admitted that the state is no longer able to continue running the risks of providing the services alone."

He added that the International Monetary Fund has recommended that Kuwait gradually lift its subsidy for all services, which includes health, electricity, the waters and telephone service.

The Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Am said on Monday, quoting a Kuwaiti ministerial source, that the minister of information has asked for the creation of a media awareness plan to guide citizens and orient them on the importance of economic and financial conditions in the state.