Kuwait mourns business pioneer and reformist Yousuf Al Nusf

Cairo: Kuwait's veteran businessman and reformist Yousuf Al Nusf died aged 91, triggering an outpouring in the country in appreciation of his national contributions.

Affectionately nicknamed Uncle Yousuf, he is credited with contributing to Kuwait's construction and modernisation drive.

Born in 1934, he was put in charge of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour in March 1985, but he quit the post just after 11 days due to his reformist ideas that did not align with the approach of the then government administration. He then shifted his sights to the world of trade and business.

During his eventful career, he held many positions, as he was a member of the board of the Kuwait Investment Company for six years from 1968, a member of the Planning Council for four years, and a member of the board of directors of the Central Bank of Kuwait.

Uncle Yousuf was also noted for promoting national and media work.

He did not favour the centrality of administrative decisions, firmly believing in the necessity of reform to catalyze development of Kuwait. He headed the board of Al Qabas newspaper for almost five years starting from June 2019.

Al Qabas paid homage to Yousuf, calling him one of Kuwait's most prominent and loyal men. His "national career was full of giving and service to the nation, and participating in the process of building and modernizing it," the paper added.

Yousuf will, moreover, be remembered for his charitable and humanitarian work inside and outside Kuwait.

"The calm, broad-minded, wise man has departed. The man with the insightful vision in dealing with matters," wrote Waleed Abdelatif,  the chief editor Al Qabas.

"I learned a lot from him. Through him, I came to know giving and generosity if it was for good, shrewdness in dealing with events in calamities, strength of position if it was for upholding what is right,  adherence to principles if the goal was great, and simplicity of treatment and gentleness of personality in human affection," he added in a tribute to Yousuf.