While it is common knowledge that laws in the Middle East include certain restrictions on foreign parties doing business that do not otherwise apply to citizens, significant strides have been made in the region in recent years. These reforms have facilitated foreign investment and participation in businesses. Kuwait has led the way with a number of reforms and was a pioneer with the promulgation of…
This section includes selected listings of Kuwait’s hotels, as well as helpful tips for business and leisure travellers planning to visit the country.…
In September 2023 Kuwait’s newest public university, Abdullah Al Salem University (AASU), received its first batch of 605 new students for the 2023/24 academic year. Viewed by the government as a reflection of its efforts to become a strategic partner in the higher education sector, AASU and other public education initiatives are working to ensure that Kuwaiti citizens are prepared for the labour…
With temperatures in cities set to rise in the coming decades, many public and private players in emerging markets are looking to tackle the challenge of extreme heat through technology, sustainable building techniques and the expansion of urban green spaces. Heat Consequences The Covid-19 pandemic helped spur the growth of smart cities, with governments tapping into data-collection infrastructure…
With the announcement of high-profile railway projects in 2023, Kuwait has taken significant steps towards improving its internal and external transport infrastructure. While fluctuations in oil prices could potentially pose challenges moving forwards, positive political and economic dynamics in and around the Gulf region bode well for Kuwait’s plans. Connecting Kuwait In January 2023 the Public…
The energy transition continued apace in 2022 despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February of that year, ongoing disruptions to supply chains and inflationary pressures – all of which translated into high energy prices around the globe. However, sustained high prices may mark an inflexion point in shifting the global energy system away from a dependence on hydrocarbons and towards lower-cost…
The GCC saw a rise in initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2022 despite volatility in secondary markets. The total number of IPOs in the region increased from 20 in 2021 to 48 in 2022, while proceeds from GCC issuers increased by 211% from $7.5bn to almost $23bn over the same period. In 2023 there were 47 listings on GCC exchanges, generating $10.6bn in proceeds. The number of successful IPOs in the…
As part of its Market Development Project (MDP) – which aims to boost listings, as well as increase the volume of local and international trading – Boursa Kuwait is putting the final touches on a series of initiatives that are expected to greatly expand the range of products and services it offers. Central to this is a new central counterparty (CCP) system that is scheduled for launch in the first…
In tandem with growth in the global sustainable investment market, the Kuwaiti government has championed sustainable development, particularly in finance. Despite a decline in the US during the 2020-22 period, financial assets related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations have experienced growth elsewhere, aligning with international initiatives such as the UN Sustainable Development…
