Interview: Faisal Mansour Sarkhou, CEO, Kamco Invest, on fostering resilient long-term investor confidence
How would you characterise the current economic landscape in the GCC amid ongoing fiscal reforms and diversification efforts?
FAISAL MANSOUR SARKHOU: The region is undergoing a period of structural transformation. We are no longer discussing diversification as a long-term aspiration; we are seeing it implemented with measurable outcomes. Governments have channelled budget surpluses into infrastructure, technology, logistics and manufacturing value chains. This is now visible in employment patterns, foreign investor participation and new corporate sectors emerging beyond hydrocarbons. The global energy transition remains relevant and oil still plays a critical role, but the focus now is on building resilient, broad-based growth models that can withstand external shocks. As a result, investor confidence is improving because reforms are becoming institutionalised rather than driven by short-term cycles.
To what extent is capital market development contributing to greater market depth and increased investment flows across the GCC?
SARKHOU: Capital markets have become central to economic strategy. Listing pipelines have diversified beyond government-linked entities. The regulatory environment has improved in terms of disclosure, governance and alignment with international practices. This matters for investors because deeper markets encourage longer-term investment horizons and better risk pricing. We have also seen an increase in cross-border investor interest, both inbound foreign capital and intra-GCC flows. Markets are becoming more liquid, more research driven and more reflective of underlying economic activity. Over time, greater market depth should support the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), family businesses, and new industry segments that previously relied heavily on bank-provided financing. It is part of a broader shift towards more market-based funding ecosystems.
What is your assessment of the current direction of the Kuwaiti economy amid ongoing efforts to strengthen the business environment and accelerate project execution?
SARKHOU: Kuwait has a strong economic base, anchored by substantial sovereign assets and a highly educated population. The priority for the economy is to translate these fundamentals into accelerated project execution and private-sector participation. Recent measures to streamline licensing processes, improve transparency and strengthen public-private partnership frameworks are steps in the right direction. The objective is to increase economic dynamism and expand sectors such as financial services, technology, logistics, health care and renewable energy. The private sector has a central role to play but it requires predictable regulatory frameworks, timely project delivery, and continued investment in skills and entrepreneurship. The trajectory is positive; the key is maintaining consistency and momentum.
In what ways do SME ecosystems and venture capital markets facilitate greater long-term economic diversification and stability?
SARKHOU: SMEs are foundational to sustainable growth and development. They contribute to employment, innovation and supply-chain depth. However, they need supportive conditions, such as access to finance, clear regulatory guidelines, affordable digital infrastructure and platforms that encourage close collaboration. Across the GCC, we are seeing more accelerators, incubators, venture funds and entrepreneurship programmes. However, developing robust SME ecosystems takes time and coordination. The interplay between policy, education systems, financial markets and corporate partnerships is essential. The long-term objective should be to enable SMEs to scale, export and then integrate into regional and global value chains rather than remain small and fragmented.
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