| Sumario: | Part of a special section on Kuwait. Four years after Iraqi forces were thrown out of Kuwait, there is a greater feeling of confidence for the future than ever before. Oil production has risen to pre-invasion levels; the stock market has reopened; and many of the banks are reporting better results. With respect to business, new opportunities are emerging for joint ventures in privatization and offset deals. In addition, Kuwaitis are having to come to terms with the current government's austerity measures. What may be a first step to reducing state costs is a proposed gradual decrease of generous subsidies on electricity, fuel, and water. Furthermore, there have been discussions about some form of personal taxation, an increase in medical and health care charges, and even education fees of some type.
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