Dr Rasheed Al Amiri had a short term as minister of oil, but he handled the oil sector during the most difficult time for Kuwait.

Dr Al Amiri took charge of the corporation during the critical time of the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait.
"By the time I became minister, things were quite harsh. That is a historical time quite different to any of the terms of my colleagues, the other chairmen.
"The cabinet I was part of, was formed 40 days before the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.
"I opted to have my workplace at the ministry instead of the corporation's headquarters. When I came into my office at the ministry premises, I found it deserted. None of the former ministers had used it before. Overall, my term as chairman of KPC seemed to be short since I was busy with my ministerial and technical tasks to dispel the wrongful claims of the Iraqi regime, I had to do negotiations and tours to make the Kuwaiti position clear.
"I frankly tell you that I had only one meeting, which lasted a mere 10 minutes, with the corporation's leaders. I had to leave because I had another meeting with Hisham Al Nazer, the Saudi oil minister who was on a secret visit to Kuwait at the time.
"The period preceding the invasion was full of critical developments.
"After the invasion, and after the corporation had moved to Taif, I remained in close contact with the KPC leadership from the moment it started operating from London and it got to regain most of its key players and staff.
"I would consult with them round the clock on technical, management and financial matters related to the projects being carried out abroad.
"I used to fly to London to discuss plans with the key players to reorganise the oil sector and to put out the fires set by the Iraqi invader.
"We used to anticipate events and negotiate with the American and Canadian companies specialised in putting out fires, on the possible burning and explosion of the wells.
"The corporation had saved the government financially through its assets abroad. The corporation's offices in other countries with no Kuwaiti embassies, were ambassadors of Kuwait there. The offices were supporting Kuwait's cause in those difficult times."
Al Amiri expressed his belief that the privatisation of the oil sector should be speeded up. "I think that this has already started at the retail fuel stations. Decisions have to be made quickly and we should move in big steps now. Formerly, an economic school of thought believed that the strong eats the weak, now the common sense says: the fast topples the slow even if the fast might be smaller than the slow. I guess that there should be some change in the corporation's strategic thinking in order to decide and move swiftly and to keep up with the trends of globalisation which rely on new ideas and ways of thinking. It should be backed up by the big economic blocks. The Corporation should now find international partners and allies. Without them it cannot move ahead with confidence. No economic activity is strong on its own. We know that there are many competitors out there, and KPC faced many obstacles because it was left alone. This urged others to compete with it. The international economy is now led by the large blocks and not those little scattered companies."
Asked about his view of the corporation's future in light of the current international economic developments, the former minister pointed out the importance of establishing a strategic centre to study the role of oil in the economy in the long run. The ministers alternatively take charge of the ministry. There should be a constant institutional scientific system based on studies. Otherwise, the corporation will not be able to compete against the bigger companies. Others in different countries are being largely developed in a way to match the globalisation trend which has two essential causes: moving swiftly, bringing in new ideas, and competition."
On his wishes for the future of the oil industry in Kuwait, Al Amiri said: "I wish that the oil industry in Kuwait becomes an attractive area of employment for the Kuwaiti youth in all fields of specialisation. Young people should be trained to master the oil production know-how and all aspects of the Kuwaiti industry.
"This is being done now, but we want to have more opportunities for all because oil is the backbone of our economy.
"I believe that we in Kuwait, lack a real oil-related education.
"We do not make room to educate people about oil matters.
"I, personally, have suggested two ideas to narrate oil's story in some appealing way through the media.
"It can be made as cartoons to tell the history of Kuwait's oil, from the technical and political perspectives, to tell how oil and energy were found and the role of oil at the international level ...all in a pleasant and interesting way.
"I made a comprehensive study for that in the hope of producing and presenting it across the Gulf countries.
"The corporation can undertake this project because it implies a new idea and a big one at the same time.
"Many people know nothing about oil and are not aware of the corporation's role and about the efforts and processes involved in producing and refining this vital commodity. This is a vague subject for them."
If ever he had the chance to become oil minister again, Dr Al Amiri emphasised that he would focus fully on the Kuwaiti youth.
"If I have to comment here, I'd say that the oil wealth is vital and self-renewing, just as the human wealth is. I'd move in that direction.
"When Kuwait was invaded, when the land and people were stormed, there was only one element to ensure a new and more honourable beginning: People, the human element. That's why we should focus on our youth. Youngsters are feeling lost. The corporation must support the national causes. I've been to Malaysia. The oil corporation makes a large contribution to education back-up and it has a huge centre to educate people in matters related to oil. For this purpose, it has built universities and research centres and is playing a great role in developing and guiding the Malaysian society.
"I wonder why we do not do the same thing here? I guess that young people deserve to be looked after and taken interest in. It would be wise for the corporation to play such a role in the service of our future generations."