KUWAIT CITY, Dec 3: The Cabinet, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah, Prime Minister, held its weekly meeting yesterday at Bayan Palace and approved a series of key decrees and legislative proposals aimed at strengthening national security, regulating commercial activities, and enhancing Kuwait’s pharmaceutical security system.

Following the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sharida Al-Maousherji issued a statement outlining the Cabinet’s decisions.

Unified Registration and Admission Authority for Military and Security Entities

The Cabinet approved a draft decree establishing the Unified Registration and Admission Authority for military and security institutions, including:

Ministry of Defense
Ministry of Interior
National Guard
General Fire Force
This newly created authority will operate under the supervision of the Supreme Defense Council. Its primary mandate is to standardize and streamline the registration, admission, and application procedures across all military and security bodies. The unified system is intended to ensure the selection of the most qualified candidates, taking into account both the applicants’ preferences and the manpower requirements of each entity.

The draft decree establishing this authority has been submitted to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad for approval.

New Penalties for Unlicensed Currency Exchange Activities
The Cabinet also endorsed a draft decree-law introducing Article (12 bis) to the Law Regulating Commercial Establishment Licenses (Law No. 111 of 2013). The new article introduces stricter penalties for individuals and entities conducting unlicensed currency exchange activities, whether inside or outside Kuwait.

Under Article (12 bis):

For the General Public
Any person who buys, sells, exchanges, or transfers local or foreign currency for the public without a license will face:

Imprisonment for up to six months,
A fine of up to 3,000 dinars,
Or both penalties.
For Shops / Companies
A private legal entity engaged in unlicensed exchange activities will be punished with:

A fine between 5,000 and 20,000 dinars,
Possible closure of the establishment or its branches involved in the offense.
In all cases, the court may order:

Confiscation of the currency involved,
Confiscation of any tools/gadgets used,
Publication of the conviction in the Official Gazette.
The Public Prosecution will be responsible for investigating and prosecuting all offenses committed under this article.

The draft decree-law has also been referred to His Highness the Amir for further action.

Strengthening Kuwait’s Pharmaceutical Security System
The Cabinet reviewed the minutes of the Ministerial Committee for Food, Drug, and Water Security, which included the Ministry of Health’s fourth periodic report on the implementation of Kuwait’s drug security strategy.

Recognizing the importance of safeguarding the nation’s medicinal supply chain, the Cabinet directed the Ministry of Health to continue its efforts—working in coordination with relevant authorities—to reinforce pharmaceutical security across the country.

Several additional agenda items were reviewed and approved, with some referred to the competent ministerial committees for further study and procedural completion.

Congratulations to the UAE and Laos on Their National Days
On the occasion of the 54th National Day of the United Arab Emirates, celebrated annually on December 2, the Cabinet extended warm congratulations and best wishes to:

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai
Members of the Federal National Council
The people of the UAE
The Cabinet prayed for continued security, stability, progress, and prosperity for the UAE.

Separately, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah sent congratulatory cables to:

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
President Thongloun Sisoulith of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
on the occasions of the UAE’s National Day and the National Day of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.