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Post # 1
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Join Date: 04 Mar 2015
Location:  KuwaitPosts: 87 |
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‘Impose New Taxes On Expats To Increase Country’s Revenues’ |
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‘Impose New Taxes On Expats To Increase Country’s Revenues’
‘Medical Fees Hike Plan Correct’ According to Al-Nahar daily the Ministry of Health may increase expat’s medical fees by 30 to 50 percent because according to sources “the cost of medical treatment for expatriates is considered a heavy burden on the State budget.†I think that increasing the medical fees on expats is a step in the right direction toward decreasing the pressure on our national budget. The current fees, according the report, “MRI — KD 180 for residents and KD 245 for visitors, CT scan — KD 70 for residents and KD 95 for visitors, ANGIO — KD 140 for residents and KD 190 for visitors, IVP — KD 40 for residents and KD 55 for visitors, BA ***** — KD 35 for residents and KD 50 for visitors, BAMEAL — KD 30 for residents and KD 45 for visitors, and Sonar — KD 10 for residents and KD 15 for visitors (see Arab Times April 2, 2015). These fees and prices for medical services in Kuwait might be less than their counterparts in other countries. Kuwait continues to maintain an efficient and a reliable health sector. However, it would also be illogical to expect that a Kuwaiti citizen to get any free medical treatment in another country! A Kuwaiti national who lives or travels abroad would have to pay huge amounts of money in order to receive an acceptable level medical services compared to what they already receive in Kuwait. I would even argue that a Kuwaiti citizen would be required to pay double prices and fees in case they need any medical assistance abroad: Kuwait is almost the only country which provides free or low cost medical treatment to expats. However, with the apparent gradual decrease in oil prices, it is illogical not to expect the Kuwaiti government to cut all additional expenses, especially medical expenses designated for non-citizens: any country around the world has the responsibility to provide for its own people, and not others. Furthermore, I do urge the government to review all fees currently collected from expats. Why not for example, raise immigration fees; add taxes on money transfers; and increase fees on expats’ driving licenses; limit the number of cars they can own, and perhaps put new road tax. It is very unfortunate that our government spends millions of dinars on road building, while such state of the art road systems quickly deteriorate because of the huge number of cars in Kuwait. If Kuwaitis were the only people allowed to drive in Kuwait, our roads and highways would be in a much better shape! In addition, some expats who receive driving licenses do not necessarily use them for private transportation; one can take a quick drive around any urban center in Kuwait and immediately discover how some expats are using their “private†cars as taxis. In addition to raising medical fees on expats, why not impose new fees on their departure and arrival at Kuwait airport? We can increase our national revenues by simply requiring that those who are not Kuwaitis or GCC citizens should pay double or treble fees for services most of which some expats do not usually get free or cheap in their home countries. Source:arabtimesonline http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/214565/t/‘Impose-new-taxes-on-expats-to-increase-country’s-revenues’/Default.aspx |
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