Kuwait 1999

In 1999, the population of Kuwait was estimated at approximately 2 million people. The economy of the country is based largely on oil production and refining, and services. Its main industries are oil and gas, construction, banking and finance. Kuwait has a long history of strong foreign relations with other countries in the Middle East and beyond. In terms of politics, Kuwait has had a constitutional monarchy since 1962 with Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as Emir since 1977. The National Assembly is responsible for legislative authority in Kuwait and is elected by universal suffrage every four years. See ethnicityology for Kuwait in the year of 2018.

Yearbook 1999

Kuwait 1999

Kuwait. Following the recent election to Parliament on July 3, the government was forced to resign as its supporters managed to win only 16 of Parliament’s 50 seats. The winner of the election became liberals and other opposites. The Emir, Sheikh Jabir al-Ahmad as-Sabah, had dissolved the parliament and declared new elections after the parliament had threatened with a distrust vote against Justice and Islam Minister Ahmad Khalid al-Kulayb who was blamed for errors in Quran produced by his Ministry. The election was held a year and a half earlier than planned.

Visit Countryaah official website to get information about the capital city of Kuwait. The Emir issued a decree in May that would give the country’s women the right to vote and the right to run for office from the next parliamentary elections, 2003. But the proposal was voted down by Parliament and the government in November. Several liberals were said to have voted against the bill because the emir’s decree had been issued after Parliament was dissolved.

  • Also see Abbreviationfinder.org to see the acronym of KWT which stands for Kuwait and other definitions of this 3-letter abbreviation.

Map of Kuwait Kuwait City in English

The then government decided in January to reduce government subsidies and raise prices for various types of public service. More cuts were to be expected when the new government’s finance minister, Ahmad Abd Allah al-Ahmad as-Sabah, was considered to be a strong advocate for increased foreign investment and privatization.

Economy and energy

Kuwait’s economy is almost completely supported by oil resources: with 102 billion barrels of reserves, Kuwait is the sixth country in the world for oil reserves. Oil exports, mainly directed to Asian markets (such as South Korea, India, Japan and China) represent almost the entire value of national exports and contribute about 90% of state revenues. The country is undergoing a liberal-style structural economic reform, which aims to increase the role of the private sector and diversify the economy; however, this transition proceeds very slowly due to internal unrest and the intense Kuwaiti bureaucracy. Kuwait suffers from a structural shortage of water resources, which makes it dependent on desalinated water; in 2013, however, the contract was awarded for the construction of the first independent water plant in al-Zour.

Since most of the territory is desert, the primary sector is substantially non-existent and the country also depends on agricultural imports for its livelihood. As far as the services sector is concerned, great importance is played by the financial ones.

December

New names in re-elected government

December 14

New names can be found in both the oil and finance minister posts in Kuwait’s new government, which is also the first ministry under a new regent. Muhammad al-Faris becomes minister responsible for oil production, electricity supply and water resources. He is a US-trained engineer and already a former board member of a state oil giant. Khalifa Hamada becomes finance minister, announced via the official news agency Kuna. In addition to Prime Minister Sabah al-Khalid al-Sabah, who remains in office, four members of the royal family are part of the government, including Ahmad Nasir al-Muhammad al-Sabah, who will remain foreign minister. One of two female ministers remains: Rana al-Faris, who is Minister of Public Works.

New faces but no women elected

December 5th

In elections to the National Assembly, the opposition or pro-opposition candidates take home 24 out of 50 seats. Since parties are not officially allowed, it is not entirely clear where everyone stands ideologically, but the result is still described as a success for opposition forces. The opposition is mostly Islamist. Women have been allowed to run for 15 years, and there has been female representation since 2012, but this time none of the 29 women running will be elected. At the same time, 30 elected candidates under the age of 45 give the impression that young Kuwaiti are making themselves heard. 31 faces are new.

Risk of infection reduces turnout

December 5th

In the shadow of the corona pandemic, elections to the National Assembly are being held. With 886 covid-19 deaths in Kuwait, turnout drops from 70 to 60 percent. A polling station in each constituency has been given special equipment to enable voting with reduced risk of infection.

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