KUWAIT CITY, April 28

The Finance and Economic Affairs Committee approved amendments to the Commercial Licensing Law that grants "temporary commercial licenses" to businessmen on the day of application, said MP Yusuf Al-Zalzalah on Sunday.

Al-Zalzalah said that individuals will have the full right to exercise their business practice on the same day they receive this temporary license, noting that commercial licenses used to take 6-12 months to issue. "This project will encourage the private sector and young people to acquire locations and begin productivity in the private sector," he added.

The panel also approved amendments that reduce penalties on minor crimes committees that were stipulated by the law. "There were minor crimes that had severe penalties on them, which we lifted. But the panel and the government agreed to put those penalties on serious crimes committed, such as trading in spoilt meat and using commercial licenses to harm national interests," explained Al-Zalzalah.
Meanwhile, the Legal and Legislative Committee approved amendments to the Audit Bureau Law to ensure the elimination of all forms of financial and administrative corruption. One such amendment gives bureau officials "judicial status" to immediately refer serious violations to the Public Prosecution and file civil complaints, revealed MP Yaqoub Al-Sane'.

"Another important addition stipulates the Audit Bureau to publish all its reports in the Kuwait's official gazette. As per the principle of transparency, these reports will be available to all," he added.

Al-Sane' said that a conference pertaining to E-legislation will be held on June 9 and 10  to discuss a mechanism to update all legislation of Kuwaiti laws on an electronic database network.

On another note, the Independent Bloc prepared a request for the formation of a committee to investigate violations in the tendering system for construction and expansion projects. The request will be submitted during this week's parliament session.

The bloc also submitted a proposal to transfer from the public sector to the private sector the management and operation of the different state assets through public tendering, giving young locals and retirees the priority in the management and development of those assets.

© Arab Times 2013