Author Topic: KUWAIT TRAVEL TIPS  (Read 1147 times)

romani

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KUWAIT TRAVEL TIPS
« on: December 11, 2009, 12:09:03 PM »
Government
Traditional Arab monarchy. Gained full independence from the UK in 1961. Head of State: Sheikh Sa'ad Al Abdullah Al Salim Al Sabah since Janaury 2006. Head of Government: Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah. Recent history: Following the death of His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, his Highness Sheikh Sa'ad Al Abdullah Al Salim Al Sabah became Emir of the State of Kuwait in January 2006. He is also ill and Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah is likely to effectively run the country.

Language
Arabic, but English is widely understood, especially in commerce and industry.

Religion
95 per cent Muslim (mostly of the Sunni sect), with Christian and Hindu minorities.

Electricity
240 volts AC, 50Hz; single phase. UK-type flat three-pin plugs are used.

Social Conventions
Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. It is quite likely that a visitor will be invited to a Kuwaiti’s home, but entertaining is also conducted in hotels and restaurants. A small gift promoting the company, or representing your own country, is always welcome. The visitor will notice that most Kuwaitis wear the national dress of long white dishdashes and white headcloths, and that many women wear yashmaks. It is important for women to dress modestly according to Islamic law. Men do not usually wear shorts in public and should not go shirtless. All other Islamic rules and customs must be respected. Convicted users of narcotics can expect to receive a sentence of up to five years’ imprisonment, plus a heavy fine. ‘No Smoking’ signs are posted in many shops. It is greatly appreciated if visitors learn at least a few words of Arabic.


Passport/Visa Note
Married women and children (except nationals of Iran and Iraq) may travel on the passport of their husband or father.

Passports
Passport valid for at least six months required by all.

Visas
Required by all except nationals of Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for an unlimited period.

Currency
Kuwait Dinar (KWD) = 1000 fils. Notes are in denominations of KWD20, 10, 5 and 1, and 500 and 250 fils. Coins are in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 fils.

Credit & debit cards
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Traveller's cheques
Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Currency restrictions
The import and export of local and foreign currency is not restricted.
Exchange rate indicators
Date At time of publishing
£1.00 = KWD0.51
$1.00= KWD0.29

Banking hours
Sun-Thurs 0800-1200.

The following goods may be imported into Kuwait without incurring customs duty:
500 cigarettes or 2lb of tobacco.

Prohibited items
Alcohol, narcotics, unsealed milk products, unsealed salty fish, unsealed olives and pickles, food prepared abroad, fresh vegetables, shellfish and its products, fresh figs and mineral water. Penalties for attempting to smuggle restricted items are severe.

Public Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2006-June 2007 period.
Jan 1 2006 New Year’s Day. Jan 10 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Jan 31 Islamic New Year. Feb 25 National Day. Feb 26 Liberation Day. Apr 11 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). Aug 22 Al-Esra Wa Al-Meraj (Ascension of the Prophet). Oct 22-24 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 31 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
Jan 1 2007 New Year's Day. Jan 20 Islamic New Year. Feb 25 National Day. Feb 26 Liberation Day. Mar 31 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).

Note
(a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. For more information see the appendix World of Islam.
(b) If a holiday falls on a Friday, a day is given in lieu.


Communications :

Telephone : Full IDD is available. Country code: 965. Outgoing international code: 00.

Mobile telephone : GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Network operators include Mobile Telecoms Co (website: www.mtc.com.kw) and National Mobile Telecommunications Co (website: www.wataniya.com).

Internet : Internet cafes throughout Kuwait provide public access to e-mail and Internet services. ISPs include Gulfnet International (website: www.kems.net/) and Global Net Kuwait (website: www.globalnet-center.com) and QualityNet (website: www.qualitynet.net).

Telegram : 24-hour telegram services are available at the Ministry of Post and Telegraph Offices, Abdullah Al Salem Square, Kuwait City, but must be handed to the post office (opening hours: Sat-Wed 0700-1400; Thurs 0700-1200).

Post : Airmail to Western Europe takes about five days.
Vaccination

Vaccination
No vaccination certificates are legally required for entry into Kuwait. However, passengers arriving from infected areas may be required to report for medical examination within a few days of their arrival. Vaccination certificates against cholera and yellow fever may be required for travellers from areas infected by these diseases. The latest position should be checked with Kuwaiti Consulates before travelling.


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