Implementation, though, has been a long time coming. Kuwait's National Assembly is generally believed to be behind the slow progress. Kuwait is the only Gulf state with a parliamentary democracy, and the government has faced a number of difficulties in pushing the reforms through parliament. In summer 1999 Amir Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabbah dissolved parliament out of frustration with the lack of progress, and a new assembly was elected later that year. However, the change of deputies has not proved to be the immediate catalyst he would have liked.
Political observers say the root cause of the problem is vested interests.
They have grown used to huge subsidies on utilities, grants for housing and guaranteed employment in the public sector, and MPs recognise that sweeping away this system will not be a vote-winner. On a higher level, the political scene is influenced by the wealthy merchant classes, who again have much to forfeit if their businesses lose state protection from international competition, which the government is proposing. However, there are signs that the winds of change may finally be starting to blow. In June, the government submitted a plan of action to parliament. We presented a programme with definite dates for implementation.