Beyond Remittance: NRI Conference begins today in Kuwait

naeem@coastaldigest.com (S M Farooq)
February 9, 2012

kuwaitcity

Kuwait City, February 9: the first Middle East NRI conference based on a theme “Beyond Remittance: Can an ordinary NRI save for his retirement” will begin in Kuwait on Thursday at Hotel Ramada International Reggae.

The event organized by Kuwait Kerala Muslim Association (KKMA) and the Foundation for Enhancing Expatriates Life (FEEL) along with State Bank of Travancore (SBT) would focus and explore different ideas and characteristics of savings products that can facilitate the commitment to save by lower income group of NRIs; and how government can participate in such ventures.

The Beyond Remittance Conference is expected to come up with a set of recommendations to improve the impact of remittances by encouraging saving and investment habits among NRIs. The conference shall help identifying key issues and make appropriate recommendations for action by the government authorities, financial institutions and organizations for developing savings schemes aimed at NRI rehabilitation and retirement income.

The two-day Conference will begin today with an Experts Dialogue session participated by financial experts, business executives and social leaders will be conducted to review the role of government, financial institutes and social welfare organizations in fostering financial inclusion of lower income NRIs. On Friday, the Ambassador of India Shri Satish C. Mehta will inaugurate the first ever NRI Conference discussing savings issues of lower income groups of Non Resident Indians. Featuring expert speakers from government, finance and social sectors and 500+ delegates, this is a unique opportunity for social leaders to gain invaluable insights into the financial concerns of ordinary NRIs and explore possibilities to assist them in securing their future.

Mr. M.M. Hasan, former minister for NRI Affairs in Kerala State, Padmashree holders of government of India Dr. Azad Moopen and CK Menon, NORKA Roots CEO Mr. Noyal Thomas, Managing Director of State Bank of Travancore, Mr. Nandakumaran P., SBT’s Chief Manager for International Banking Business Mr. Jyothish Kumar, UAE Exchange Company’s chief operating officer Mr. Sudhir Shetty, Mr. Pramod Mangatta, Global Operations Vice President along with prominent business and community leaders from Kuwait will attend in this Conference.

The experts and prominent personalities from multi fields, such Mr. Sunny Mathew ,Mr. John Mathew Arab Entertech Deputy Chairman, R Kuppanna Kuwait Indian Exchange General Manager, Mr. K.N. Das Lulu Exchange General Manager , Mr. Pancily Varkey Country Head UAE Exchange, Mr. K.P. Paulson, Strategic Head Alahli Bank Kuwait, Mr. Sala Ahmed Al Salah from Kuwait Inernational Bank, Mr. E.D. Titus Bahain Exchange Company, Mr. Rajesh Gairola Al Mulla Exchange Company, Mr. Rexy Willams Asset Avenues will present relevant papers at the Conference.

The Beyond Remittance Conference shall also witness dedication of the Foundation Foundation for Enhancing Expatriate Life (FEEL) and also honoring prominent personalities with NRI jewels award for their significant contribution for the welfare of NRIs in the gulf countries.


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News Network
April 12,2025

Riyadh, April 12: In a welcome move for Indian expatriates and other foreign residents in Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom has introduced a new online service that allows residents to update their passport information without visiting the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat). The service is available through the widely used Absher platform.

This initiative comes as a major time-saver for Indian expats, especially those renewing their passports, as it eliminates the need for lengthy in-person appointments and physical document submissions at Jawazat offices.

Who Can Use the Service?

The online update feature is available to expatriates aged 18 and above. Once a passport is renewed, Indian expats can log in to Absher (via their employers account), navigate to My Services, select Passport, and then access Resident Identity Services to update the relevant information.

A clear photo of the new passport must be uploaded. The system automatically extracts the passport number and expiry date using advanced digital recognition tools.

Before submitting, users are required to pledge that:

  • The old passport has not been lost.
  • There are no reports of absence from work.
  • There are no pending traffic violations linked to the resident's Iqama.
  • There are no security-related restrictions on the expat or the employer.

Important for Indian Families

If family members previously listed on the old passport have been issued individual passports, the online service cannot be used. In such cases, a personal visit to Jawazat is necessary to complete the update.

Likewise, if the passport is lost, the expat must report the loss and update information directly at the Jawazat office. Any misuse or incorrect submission will result in accountability under Saudi law, including potential charges of forgery.

Fee Details

To avail this convenience, a nominal fee of SR69 (including VAT) is applicable for each passport update request.

Why It Matters

With over 2 million Indians living and working in Saudi Arabia, this digital service is expected to ease the bureaucratic burden and save time for thousands of individuals who previously had to navigate crowded offices and long wait times. It also enhances accuracy and ensures smoother processing for both employees and employers.

Indian community associations have welcomed the move, calling it a step forward in digital convenience and administrative efficiency for expatriates.

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