KUWAIT, Dec 23 (KUNA) -- Following follow-up of a summary report about major local events that happened during the the passing year, 2012.
MEDIA AND CULTURE: On January 16, the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) signed an cooperation agreement with a British archaeological mission for monumental exploration and search in Kathma area.
On February 1, the Al-Arabi magazine issued its first scientific edition.
On February 12, the Kuwait Society for Plastic Arts organized Kuwait's sixth plastic art festival.
On March 18, Kuwait and France signed an agreement for opening a branch of the French Cultural Center in Kuwait.
On March 19, Kuwaiti Cultural Days were organized in Tokyo.
On March 30, a new book on Kuwaiti-Russian relations during the era of late Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah was issued in Russia.
On April 18, the Arab Cultural Center opened a photography exhibition for Kuwaiti-Russian relations in Kazan City in the Republic of Tatarstan.
On May 7, the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) signed an executive program for cultural and media cooperation between Kuwait and Iran between 2012 and 2015.
On June 30, Kuwait Radio finally regained 27 boxes of its archival cassette tapes from Iraq, which were stolen by Saddam Hussein's regime during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
On June 8, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) signed a deal with Peru's official news agency for bilateral media cooperation.
On September 18, French President Francois Hollande thanked His Highness the Amir for supporting an Islamic section in the world-famous Louvre Museum.
On November 10, Chairman of the Foundation of Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain's Prize for Poetic Creativity Abdulaziz Al-Babtain opened the Arab-European cultural dialogue institute in Rome.
On December 10, Minister of Information and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah inaugurated Kuwait's 13th theatric festival.
On December 15, the Kuwait Society for Plastic Arts opened a plastic art exhibition attracting 83 artists from Kuwait and Arab countries.
ECONOMY: On January 8 the Belgian Export Credit Agency (ONDD) rated the State of Kuwait as the most secure country against economic and political risks.
On January 9 HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah chaired a meeting by the consultative commission on economic developments where he called for drawing lessons from the world's successful experiments in order to ward off the recurrence of the international economic crisis.
On February 11 Kuwait Energy announced the discovery of a new oil well in the Western Desert of Egypt with a daily output capacity of 835 barrels; the well was named Al-Jahra-X1.
On February 13, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry decided shutting down 29 businesses for violating the anti-commercial fraud and consumer safety regulations.
On February 29 EQUATE, an international joint venture between Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC), The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), Boubyan Petrochemical Company (BPC) and Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company (QPIC), posted net profits of USD 1.05 billion for the year ending on December 31, 2011. The figure represented 20 percent increase on annual basis.
On March 3 the Kuwait Energy said it discovered an oil well in Egypt, the well was named Al-Salmiya-I.
On March 6 the Financial News site reported that Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) decided to launch a fund for investment in the emerging economies.
On March 11 the Chinese authorities said the KIA was awarded an initial equity amounting in value to USD 300 million of the stock market of China.
On March 25 the cabinet named Dr. Mohammad Youssof Al-Hashel as governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK).
On March 28 the economic list won the elections of Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
On April 30 the Municipal Council approved launching a free trade zone in the southern part of the country.
On July 3 Agility Project Logistics announced an agreement with Chevron Australia Pty Ltd (Chevron) for supplying base operations and transportation services to the Gorgon Project in Australia for two years; the contract is worth 232 million Australian dollars.
On July 24 the CBK said the global rating agency Fitch Ratings rated Kuwait credits as AA with a stable economic outlook.
On September 25 the Joint Kuwaiti-Japanese Commission convened its 17 meeting at the KCCI and signed an agreement on investment promotion and protection.
On October 1 the CBK Governor Al-Hashel opened the 36th ordinary session of the Council of Governors of Arab Central Banks and Monetary Agencies (COG-ACBMA). He lauded the efforts of the Arab central banks to minimize the impacts of the global financial crisis on the Arab region.
On October 3 the CBK brought down the deduction rate by 50 basis points from 2.50 percent to the current 2 percent.
On October 15 Kuwait Energy said it discovered a new oil well in the Gulf of Suez in Egypt, thus taking to 19 the number of its discoveries in Egypt.
On October 22 Kuwait approved an amendment to Law No. 6 for 2008 turning Kuwait Airways Corporation into a shareholding company.
On November 4 a ceremony was held under auspices and in the presence of HH the Prime Minister to mark the inauguration of new expansions at the Avenues shopping and entertainment complex.
On December 15 the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) expected, in an economic report, that the inflation rate will remain generally stable for the coming year at 3.5 percent.
KUWAIT FUND FOR ARAB ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (KFAED) LOANS: On January 8 KFAED signed a loan agreement totaling KD 26.2 million to contribute in financing a water network project in Bahrain.
On the same day, KFAED also signed another loan agreement with China to finance a community college in Gusho city totaling KD 7.4 million.
On February 13, KFAED Deputy Director General Hisham Al-Wugayan said that the Fund has contributed in more than 800 projects this year totaling USD 15 billion, a record number since its establishment half a century ago.
On March 8, KFAED signed an agreement to finance a road in Niger totaling USD five million.
In the same month on 18, KFAED signed a loan agreement with Egypt totaling USD 105 million, a project that would contribute in financing a power generation station in southern city of Halwan.
On March 20 KFAED signed a loan agreement with the Republic of Rwanda totaling USD 13.6 million, a contribution to build a connecting road between two cities.
April 18, KFAED signed a loan agreement with the Republic of Yemen in contribution through resources to the Islamic Charity Fund, totaling USD six million.
On May 1, KFAED signed a loan agreement with the Bank of Cuba in contribution in rebuilding water and sewage network, totaling KD 7.5 million.
On June 24, KFAED signed two agreements with Mali totaling USD 25 billion in financing small agriculture projects.
August 8, KFAED signed a loan agreement with Vietnamese city of Hanoi totaling KD four million, in contribution to build multi urban development projects.
On August 25, the State of Kuwait donated USD 450 thousands in emergency fund for the UN Central Aid in confronting emergencies.
On September 27, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Sabah said that the country has contributed in the amount of USD 500 million during the next three years to Yemen.
On November 15, Kuwait and the World Bank signed an agreement totaling USD 50 million in support and contribution to the Palestinian Reform and Development program.
On November 26, KFAED signed an agreement with the Islamic Republic of Mauritania totaling USD 10 million in financing a state road.
On December 7, KFAED signed a loan agreement with Liberia totaling four million, in contribution to building a port.
On December 12, KFAED signed a loan agreement with Serbia in financing rail road worth in total USD 35 million.
On the same day, KFAED signed another loan agreement with North Korea to finance a road project totaling KD six million.
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE: Kuwait, on January 25, donated USD 250,000 to UNICEF to support relief aid for victims of a massive earthquake that struck city of Van in Turkey in October 2011.
Kuwait granted Japan with five million barrels of oil following the tsunami.
President of the International Islamic Charitable organization Abdullah Al-Maatouq said total donations for the Syrian people amounted to USD 11.756 million.
Kuwait also donated USD million to finance an American relief organization's activities in Gaza.
CLIMATE: A sand storm hit Kuwait on March 3 that forced cancellation of six flights, rescheduling of 10 others while one flight was transferred to another airport.
On April 30, sea traffic was halted due to low visibility caused by dust. The same thing happened on June 2, 19 and July 5.
OIL:
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and Chinese petrochemical company (Sinopec) agreed, on January 4, to build a refinery and petrochemical complex in south China with USE nine billion.
Throughout the year, Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) succeeded in controlling oil ang gas leakages.
Oil Minister Mohammad Al-Busairi said the application of sigma system generated revenues in the Petroleum Industries Company (PIC) of USD 90 million.
KPC signed a USD 556-million contract with Daiwoo to building five oil tankers.
In February Kuwait Oil Tankers Company (KOTC) received Bahra oil tanker.
KPC renewed the contract of diesel and aircraft fuel supply with BP and Shell for 2012.
KOC signed three contacts with three international companies to treat and rehabilitate soil.
On March 7, KOC signed an agreement with the World Bank (WB) to minimize gas burning level. On same day, KPC signed a memo with French Total over refining and petrochemical projects in China.
On March 19, Kuwait agreed to supply Pakistan with diesel and fuel oil.
KPC launched, on March 21, the first e-library for oil and oil industries.
KPC's subsidiary, Q8, has been active in European markets as well.
Kuwait received Bnaider oil tanker in April. While KPC announced that Reqqa tanker escaped an attack by pirates near Strait of Hormuz.
KOTC announced on May 1 it would seek construction of six tankers within a strategy to develop its fleet. (more)
On May 16, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) declared its net profits for the 2011-2012 fiscal year amounted to KD 2.2 billion, with an increase of KD 132 million, compared with the previous fiscal year.
On May 14, Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) declared its success in halting oil leak at a pipeline that feeds Al-Ahmadi refinery. The same day, Equate for petrochemicals declared signing a deal with Schmidt and Clemens for setting up ethylene cracking units.
On May 23, the KOC declared halting gas leakage near Al-Shuaiba industrial zone.
On June 10, Kuwait Petroleum International declared inauguration of new operations at the British Chadwick airport.
On July 11, the KOC inaugurated new gas stations, 160-BS, east and south of Kuwait.
On August 29, the KPC declared that the Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) won WA-481-P concession for oil exploration in Australia.
On September 5, Kuwait Petroleum International (Q8) signed a comprehensive MoU with the South Korean SK company for energy to launch an integrated venture for refining Kuwaiti oil and a establishing a petrochemical complex in in Indonesia.
On September 11, the KPC declared signing a MoU with Pakistan for oil cooperation.
On September 25, Chairman and Managing Director of the KOC Sami Al-Rushaid declared Kuwaiti free gas amounted to 130-140 million cubic feet per day, with output of 50,000 barrels of light gas.
On October 1, Chairman and Managing Director of Kuwait Oil Tankers Company Bader Al-Khashti declared stationing security personnel aboard the Kuwaiti oil tankers in piracy infested regions.
On October 4, the KOC declared signing a KD 107 million contract with the South Korean Engineering and Construction Company, SK, for building central and relay power stations in the south and east of Kuwait.
On October 17, the KOC declared leakage of oil and gas at a well in north of Kuwait.
On October 28, the KOC declared work pursuing to put out fire at al-Rawdatain field. Technical Teams had set the field alight after leakage of carbon hydrogen. Fire extinguishers were imported from the United States and 50 percent of charred remains at the site were cleared.
On October 31, the KOTC declared taking delivery of 10 oil tankers in the first phase of building its fleet.
On November 20, the KOC announced halting leakage of carbon hydrogen gas at a pipeline in the region of Um-Qadir.
On November 31, the KOC declared winning the second-rank award for best management of oil and gas fields in the Middle East and North Africa, during participation in the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum, Exhibition Conference (ADIPEC).
On December 3, the KOC declared start of 3-d seismological surveys of northern Kuwait, covering 4,500 square km, a quarter of the national territories.
On December 4, the KOC declared halt of oil leakage at one of the exporting pipelines in Al-Mangaf.
SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SERVICES AND UTILITIES:
On January 8, Ministry of Public Works declared end of construction of two causeways and a railway at Mubarak port.
On January 15, Minister of Electricity and Water Salem Al-Utheina declared start of supplying power to the marine Sabah Al-Ahmad town.
On February 9, the Minister of Public Works signed two contracts for urgent and emergency maintenance of roads and public squares in Hawalli, at a value of KD 3.772 million.
On February 28, the Ministry of Public Works declared start of construction of a government center for examining quality of products in Subhan.
On March 5, Minister of Public Works Fadel Safar opened Al-Ragee station for pumping sewage, projected to cost KD 74 million.
On April 5, the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs declared decision to start taping the Friday sermons.
On April 8, Minister of Social Affairs Ahmad Al-Rujeib inaugurated the third Gulf festival for social action, patronized by HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. On the same day, the 16th conference for judicial inspectors of Arab states was launched.
On April 11, the International Islamic Charitable Organization held Kuwait's international Koran recitation contest, under sponsorship of HH the Amir with attendance of HH the Premier.
On April 25, HH the Amir issued instructions for renovation of Kuwait's Grand Mosque.
On April 26, Governor of Kuwait City Sheikh Ali Al-Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah signed an agreement with the Mayor of the Chinese city of Guangzhou for encouraging mutual cooperation in various sectors.
On October 3, the Supreme Judicial Council expressed gratitude to HH the Amir for his support for the judiciary, his keenness on maintaining independence of the judicial authority.
On November 6, HH the Amir issued instructions for securing housing for families whose houses were burned during a fire at Al-Sawaber residential complex.
HEALTH SERVICES:
On January 1, the Ministry of Health denied reports about break-out of meningitis in Al-Farwaniyah or other Kuwaiti districts.
On January 10, the former minister of health, Dr. Mohammed Al-Jarallah, conducted a gastric sleeve surgery. The operation was the first of its kind to be conducted in Kuwait and the Gulf.
On January 12, Minister of Finance Mustafa Al-Shimali signed a MoU with the Cuban minister of Health for exchange of health services between the two countries.
On January 14, Kuwait hosted the Lung Cancer Conference, It was organized by Sheikha Badria Al-Ahmad Center for Chemo Therapy.
On February 13, Kuwait and the Mexican States signed a MoU for cooperation in the health care sector. The agreement was aimed at arranging reciprocal visits by personnel, exchange of expertise and information and training in the sector of health care and medical sciences.
On February 29, the Ministry of Health declared hosting 28 consultants of various specializations.
On March 24, Kuwait's 14th conference for medicine and eye surgery was opened, with participation of doctors from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United States, Canada and Europe.
On April 1, the MoH declared it would host 15 medical consultants to examine critical cases and perform surgeries.
On April 4, the third conference for gastric cancer was opened with participation of specialists from America, Europe and some Arab countries.
On April 8, the third conference for medical laser applications and dermatology was opened with participation of 70 specialists from Europe, Asia and some Arab countries.
On April 9, Minister of Health Dr. Ali Al-Obeidi opened Saad Al-Abdullah Health Center in Al-Jahraa.
On April 21, the fifth conference of medical laboratories was launched.
On April 25, Kuwait and India signed an agreement for health cooperation.
On May 14, the American Cancer Society accredited a preliminary scientific study about head and neck cancers, conducted by Kuwait Cancer Center.
On May 16, Minister of Health Dr. Ali Al-Obeidi opened a center for treatment of Osteoporosis, with donations by the late Suliman Al-Iban.
On June 10, Director of Medical Emergency of the Ministry of Health Dr. Faisal Al-Ghanem affirmed conclusion of procedures for building 10 new rescue centers in Al-Sabah, Hawalli, Al-Salmiah and new residential districts.
On October 4, Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital for Armed Forces declared conducting 35 operations with application of state-of-art methods.
On November 29, Minister of Health. Dr. Ali Al-Obeidi opened the largest intensive care center in the Gulf, at Al-Addan Hospital, with a capacity of 41 beds, at a cost of KD six million.
On December 2, the MoH opened the first throat diseases conference with international specialists.
On December 10, Minister of Health Dr. Ali Al-Obeidi opened the venture for renovation of the seventh ward and the center for training surgeons at the Maternity Hospital.
On December 12, Kuwait Cancer Center declared conclusion of a visit by a team of Canadian specialists.
On December 14, Dr. Khaled Al-Sabti conducted five surgeries to treat glaucoma with usage of high tech.
On January 2, the Ministry of Communications signed with the Saudi company Mobily Company a contract according to which the company would be allowed to link up with the network of the ministry for 15 years, as part of bids to cut cost of internet usage and improve cyber services in the country.
On January 8, a specialized report revealed that the number of Facebook users in Kuwait reached 880,000 in the end of 2011.
On February 6, Civil Aviation declared that sales in the sector reached KD 280 million, with sale of 2.4 million tickets in 2011, 11 percent higher compared to the year before.
On March 14, Zain telecom declared signing a strategic contract with the American Abas company for securing Wi-Fi services at local fees.
On March 17, Kuwait Airways Company cancelled nine scheduled flights due to workers' strike.
On April 5, Booz and Company revealed that Kuwait made headways in the international technological and communication competition, moving higher by 13 ranks after standing at 72nd in the classification of 2011.
On April 17, the 2nd conference and fair of Kuwait metro and railway was held under sponsorship of the Minister of Communication Salem Al-Utheina.
On April 19, the Civil Aviation initialed an agreement for organizing aviation services between Kuwait and Australia.
On September 25, Minister of Communications Salem Al-Utheina issued a decision compelling internet service providers to slash fees by at least 40 percent.
On January 9, Minister of Public Works Dr. Fadel Safar affirmed abidance by regulations of green towns and buildings.
On February 13, the Ministry of Commerce banned smoking at restaurants, cafes and hotels. Owners were compelled to set up special spots for smokers.
On February 15, the Kuwait Environment Protection Society launched the "one million palm trees" project, coinciding with the National and Liberation Days.
On March 3, Kuwait Environment Protection Society hosted seven delegations of foreign experts for tracking migrating birds.
On March 7, Kuwait Environment Protection Society declared a Gulf joint plan for protection of the environment.
On April 8, Kuwaiti divers salvaged a four-ton sunken boat off the island of Failaka.
On April 17, huge fire erupted at dumping site of used tires in the region of Ruhaia.
On April 29, firemen put out a fire that broke out at Amghara.
On May 11, fires engulfed two sites for wood and metals in Amghara.
On May 14, divers set up five buoys above coral reefs in Khairan.
On May 16, Minister of Public Works Fadel Safar opened the first forum for green buildings.
On June 9, divers lifted three sunken wooden ships in Kuwait Bay.
On June 16, divers installed 11 buoys at the site of reefs off the island of Garo.
On June 13, the divers lifted a dumped fishing net entangled with the reefs off Garo.
On July 23, firemen put out fires at a carpentry in Al-Rai. Three firemen were injured while combating the flames.
On August 14, the KOC declared that a worker died after succumbing to wounds he had suffered as a result of an accident.
On August 25, divers salvaged a sunken 60-ton ship off Al-Badaa beach.
On August 28, firemen put out fires that damaged 10 small boats at the harbor of Al-Sharq mall.
On September 2, Kuwait took part in Habitat conference, with a delegation headed by Sheikha Amthal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Chairperson of Kuwait Voluntary Work Center.
On September 4, the acting director general of Kuwait Municipality, Mohammad Al-Otaibi, declared punitive action against a company that imported sausages including pork.
On September 7, divers lifted boats and ships in Al-Shemlan Negaa.
On September 11, the divers retrieved a 50-f-long yacht off Al-Sharq mall.
On October 9, the divers lifted fishing nets weighing two tons, entangled off Kubbar island.
On December 7, the Italian city of Florence celebrated twining with 24 cities including Kuwait city.
SPORTS:
On January 8, the head of Al-Jahraa Club Khaled Alp-Husseini was chosen member of the committee of appeal of the Arab Football Association.
On January 9, Al-Yarmouk Club was crowned champion of the Kuwaiti tennis tournament.
On February 6, Kathma Club won the fifth Kuwaiti volleyball championship, beating Al-Arabi 2-3.
On February 12, Kuwait's 12th camel race festival began with participation of 16 Arab and foreign countries.
On February 16, the camel of Sheikh Hamad Bin Rashed Al-Maktoum won the grand award at end of Kuwait's 12th camel race.
On February 29, the Kuwaiti soccer team pulled out of the Asian finals for qualification for the world cup after losing to the South Korean team.
On March 12, the Gulf University for Sciences and Technology organized the first Gulf soccer tournament for women.
On March 7, the Kuwaiti team dropped three ranks in the FIFA classification, falling to the 94th place.
on March 13, Al-Qadisiyah was crowned champion of the 50th Amir Cup Tournament for the 14th time in its history, beating Kathma 1-0.
On March 21, the shooter Sara Al-Hawal won the gold in the trap contests in the Arab shooting championship.
On March 27, the Kuwaiti team for the dump won six medals in the international Tunisian Paralympic games.
On March 28, the Kuwaiti water polo team won the silver in the second Asian championship.
On April 7, the Kuwaiti woman champion, Sara Behbehani, won the Kuwaiti tennis championship for individuals.
On April 8, the Kuwaiti jet ski racer Ahmad Al-Dawas won the Drag Race contest hosted by Qatar.
On April 10, the shooter Mariam Arzouki won the gold medal in the sixth international tournament, hosted by Sarajevo.
On April 11, the second round of the Middle East rally got underway in Kuwait.
On April 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah on his election as Chairman of the Association of the National Olympic Committees (ANOC).
On April 24, the Kuwaiti police shooting team won the bronze in the 50-m gun contests on the Arab Olympic championship, hosted by Al-Ain.
On April 30, the Kuwaiti motorcycle team won the second rank in the Arab championship held in Morocco.
On May 5, the head of the Kuwaiti Motor Sports Club Sheikh Ahmad Al-Daoud Al-Sabah was elected, uncontested, the chairman of the Arab Motorcycle Club.
On May 14, Kuwaiti fencers won the gold in the three categories of the game, the floret, epee and Saber, in the first championship of West Asia held in Kuwait.
On May 16, the Kuwaiti soccer team lost in a friendly game with the guest, Ateltico Madrid, 2-0.
On July 7, the national judo team won the West Asia championship held in Jordan.
On July 11, the Kuwaiti teams won medals in shooting and taekwondo in Asian games held in Russia.
On July 16, Kuwait won the Erland championship for horse racing.
On July 18, the shooting champions Abdullah Al-Rashidi and Fuhaid Al-Dihani retained the top posts in Asian tournament.
On July 19, the Kuwaiti team was crowned the champion of the 22nd Water Polo Championship that concluded in Kuwait. The national champions garnered 12 medals, including 10 gold.
On July 23, the Kuwaiti jet-skier Abdullah Al-Fadel won the first place in the professionals' category in the US tournament that concluded in Virginia.
On August 5, the Kuwaiti shooter Fuheid Al-Dihani won the bronze in the 30th Olympic games held in London -- in the trap category.
On September 3, Al-Arabi Club was crowned the champion of Super Cup beating Al-Qadsiyah 2-1.
On September 9, players of Kuwait Club won four gold medals in the open championship hosted by Seoul.
On September 15, the Kuwaiti team came second in the 19th Arab schools championship held in Algeria, winning 47 medals.
On October 3, the Kuwaiti jet-skier Abdullah Al-Fadel won the gold in the world championship held in Arizona, the US.
On October 5, the fencing champion Abdullah Al-Shimali won the contest for the individuals, Saber, during the Asian games hosted by Indonesia.
On October 6, the Kuwaiti judo team won the 16th Gulf tournament earning 29 medals including 22 gold.
On October 7, the Kuwaiti team won 15 medals, including four gold, during the international jet ski tournament hosted by Arizona.
On October 8, the Kuwaiti jet ski team scored an unprecedented victory, winning the first rank along with the US and Thailand, in the international tournament in Arizona. The total number of the medals garnered by the team reached 15.
On October 13, the Kuwaiti rowing champion, Alia Ghali, won the bronze in 2,000-m contests as part of the Arab Rowing Tournament, hosted by Tunisia.
On October 23, the Kuwaiti team was crowned the champion of the First Interpol Swimming Championship that concluded at the Olympic pool of Al-Arabi Club. The national team won 17 medals including nine gold ones.
On October 24, the Kuwaiti player Mubarak Al-Otaibi won the bronze in the international military championship for taekwondo, hosted by Vietnam.
On November 2, the Kuwaiti embassy in Greece affirmed that health condition of the Kuwaiti water polo team was assuring after the players survived an accident. During the same day, Faisal Al-Ginaee, the Secretary of Kuwait Journalists Association, was elected, uncontested, to serve as the Chairman of the Asian Federation for Sports Journalism.
On November 4, the jet-skier Ahmad Al-Dawas won the bronze in the first round of Qatar International Tournament for Category 1600 for professionals.
TOURISM:
On January 11, the Kuwaiti Al-Alamiah Company reported improvement in the tourism sector in Kuwait.
On January 18, Kuwait took part in the International Tourism Exhibition in the Spanish capital.
ACCIDENTS:
On May 17, firemen put out fires at the warehouses in Subahn.
On July 24, firemen extinguished a fire at a metal workshop in Amghara scrap yard.
On August 2, one fireman died and three others suffered injuries in a traffic accident.
On August 3, firemen put out blazes that erupted at a wood storage site in Amghara. Nine firemen were injured in the operation.
On September 23, firemen put out blazes at a beverages factory in Subhan.
Passing Dignitaries:
On January 11, Kuwait lost Sheikh Saud Al-Nasser Al-Saud Al-Sabah capping a life rich with accomplishments and services for the homeland. He had served Kuwait since 1962, worked as an ambassador to the UK between 1975-1980, and a non-resident top diplomat to Sweden and Denmark. He also served as ambassador to the US, and non-resident diplomat to Canada and Venezuela between 1981-2992. The deceased had played major role in defense of the national cause during the Iraqi occupation of the country.
On November 4, Faisal Al-Zeben, a pioneer figure in the development of the national aviation sector, passed away. He had served as the chairman of the national air company between 1999 and 2004. (end)
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