Kuwait city: Today marks significant milestones in Kuwait's history, with events spanning from legislative advancements to groundbreaking medical procedures. In 1997, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah signed a resolution to establish a free-trade zone at Shuwaikh port, an initiative that aimed to boost economic activities in the region.
According to Kuwait News Agency, a landmark medical achievement occurred in 2002 when a team of surgeons at the Chest Diseases Hospital performed the first heart surgery in the Middle East using laser technology to open arteries. This procedure was conducted on a 60-year-old woman, showcasing the country's advancement in medical technology.
In 2003, the Information Ministry broke new ground by granting licenses for private radio channels, with licenses lasting five years and eligible for renewal. This year also saw a historical shift in the political landscape when the Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah signed a decree appointing Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as Prime Minister, separating the roles of Crown Prince and Prime Minister for the first time.
The year 2005 witnessed Deputy Amir Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah signing a law that waived KD 2,000 in overdue water and electricity bills on citizens, allowing them to pay any excess in instalments. Another law was signed to regulate the professional practice of sports, reflecting the government's focus on societal welfare and sports.
In 2010, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) demonstrated its commitment to supporting educational projects by loaning KD four million to the Gambia University project. The following year, Kuwait's Health Ministry expanded its international cooperation by signing an agreement in Berlin to enhance orthopedic and neurosurgery services.
Environmental concerns took center stage in 2011 when the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah launched a national campaign for environmental protection dubbed "Senyar 5." Further international cooperation was evident in 2017 when KFAED signed a loan agreement with the Maldives to finance the eastern coast protection project.
In 2023, Kuwait's legislative body, the National Assembly, passed a draft law to establish companies for the construction of cities and residential areas. Additionally, amendments were approved for the health insurance law for pensioners, extending benefits to housewives under the Afiya scheme. Lastly, in 2024, the nation bid farewell to Khalil Ibrahim, a prominent media figure who passed away at 71 after a distinguished career in Kuwait Radio.