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Blair''s "Kuwait Vision 2035" report proposes solutions to key issues - Min.

KUWAIT, March 15 (KUNA) -- The Kuwaiti government received a report about "Kuwait Vision 2035" prepared by British former Prime Minister Tony Blair, Minister of the Amiri Diwan Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said Monday.
Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad said the report, prepared by Blair's team, "analyzes the major issues facing the country and presents detailed proposals" to addressing them.
"If they (proposals) are implemented, they will change the direction of the country and help it achieve its vision," he said in a meeting with chief editors of local newspapers, Board Chairman and Director General of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Sheikh Mubarak Duaij Al-Sabah, with attendance of Blair and Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs, Minister of state for Development and Minister of State for Housing Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Sabah.
Sheikh Nasser said the vision of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to turning Kuwait into a regional financial and economic hub was based on "the history of the country in initiating the spirit of trade ... ." The Amir's vision, he added, aimed enabling Kuwait reachable to markets in Central Asia, Turkey, China and Eruope. This very vision, said Sheikh Nasser, seeks to diversify income.
The Amir wants to invest the geographic status of Kuwait and guarantee a prosperous life for Kuwaitis.
The Blair report, added the Amiri Diwan Minister, identified challenges and necessary reforms in order to bring about the Amir's vision into reality.
"The report affirms that our current system is not sustainable, however it has the potentials for a great and prosperous future," he said.

Blair, meanwhile, called on importance of adopting decisive policies by the Kuwaiti government to addressing the current and future problems thus achieving the Kuwaiti vision 2035.
Kuwait has an ambitious development plan, which was a positive indicator because it included the necessary legislations, he said.
The Kuwait vision 2035 is based on addressing the structural problems, like importance of improving the investment environment and the development of infrastructure, said the former British Premier.
Blair underlined necessity of supporting the new generation of Kuwaitis and paying more attention on education.
Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Sabah said the Blair report aimed at identifying and correcting problems in all sectors.
The vision, he said, was a result of popular demands not only by the government.
The Kuwait Vision 2035, said Sheikh Ahmad, has two pillars: making Kuwait an important trade port in the region and turning the country into a financial hub.
The government, he said, is committed to Blair's report.
The government, he added, also paying more attention to education, health, improving administration and minimizing red-tape.
The government plan, said the minister, has three parts: economic and financial by increasing income, developing infrastructure and spreading a new culture among citizens to deal with it. (end) mga.bs