The selection of the new Kuwaiti oil minister, Saad Al-Barrak, came after several days of consultations, following the resignation of the fourth government of Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf Al-Ahmad.
Yesterday, Sunday, the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, issued an Emiri decree forming the new government headed by Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, which includes 15 ministers.
The new Kuwaiti oil minister is one of 6 new ministers in the new formation of the 44th government in the history of Kuwait, in addition to the continuation of 9 portfolios from the last government.
Who is Saad Al-Barrak?
Dr. Saad Hamad Nasser Al-Barrak, who was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in the new formation alongside the Ministry of Oil, assumes the duties of Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment.
The new Kuwaiti Minister of Oil obtained a Ph.D. in information technology systems management in 2001 from the University of London, a master’s degree in industrial systems engineering in 1982 from Ohio University in the United States, and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1977 from the same university.
Al-Barrak, born on September 5, 1955, also obtained a PhD in Information Systems Management from Harvard University in the United States in 1990.
Al-Barrak has been Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises Development since October 2018, a member of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development since 2019, and Deputy Head of the Office of Social Development of the Amiri Diwan.
The new Kuwaiti Minister of Oil held the position of CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Zain Group between 2002 and 2010, and held the same positions in a number of companies.
He won the Distinguished Executive Personality Award in the Information and Communication Technology Sector in the Middle East for the year 2005, the Entrepreneur of the Year award in the electronic field in 2003, and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Al-Barrak held many positions since his graduation until he reached the position of Kuwaiti Minister of Oil. He worked as an electrical design engineer at the Prefabricated Building Company (1978-1979), a teaching assistant at the Production Department at the College of Technological Studies (1979-1983), an information systems project engineer at the International Integrated Computer Systems Company (1983-1985), and a systems development and support manager at The company itself (1985-1986), Assistant General Manager for Sales and Systems (1986-1987), General Manager of the International Integrated Computer Systems Company (1987-1991), Managing Director and General Manager of the company during the period (1992-2001).
The new Kuwaiti Minister of Oil also held several positions in the Mobile Telecommunications Company (Zain); Among them are the General Manager (2002-2005), Vice Chairman, Managing Director and CEO of Zain Group (2005-2010), Managing Director and CEO of Zain Saudi Arabia (2010-2011).
Mulla’s resignation
The selection of Saad Al-Barrak as Kuwaiti Oil Minister came more than two months after the last government formation in the country, who chose Badr Al-Mulla in the position he held with the third government that began its duties in October 2022.
On May 5, Al-Mulla announced his resignation from the government – less than a month after the new cabinet formation – to run in the recent National Assembly elections.
At the time, Al-Mulla addressed the employees of the Ministry of Oil, the Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries, saying: “It was an honor to work with you, and I hope that I have been successful in my work. Many thanks and gratitude to you, and you have achieved many successes and more ambitions ahead of you.”
for more than 45 days the position has been vacant; He was assigned to him by the Minister of Finance for Economic Affairs and Investment, Manaf Al-Hajri, in addition to his duties.
Al-Hajri recently represented Kuwait at the OPEC celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of its founding, which were held in Iraq last Friday, and stressed that his country is working within its strategic plans to continue to play an enhanced role within the world as a safe source of energy, and calls on the world to invest in all types of energy to ensure fulfillment. the world’s growing needs.
Minister Al-Hajri said: “I am honored to represent my country, Kuwait, one of the five founding countries of OPEC,” noting that the organization represents an important pillar in the world’s energy community and remains a key and essential valve to ensure security of supplies and sustainable stability to support the cohesion of all its members who continue to invest in capacity. Productivity to ensure sufficient supply for current and future global demand.
He pointed out that future challenges will enhance the role of OPEC to ensure a smooth and balanced energy transition that supports the global economy and industry and is in the interest of people and the environment.
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