Latest news with #KuwaitDirectInvestmentPromotionAuthority
Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Zain drives digital innovation to power the future of Kuwait's energy sector
Company joined roundtable hosted by KDIPA and The Business Year KUWAIT: Zain participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by the global media group The Business Year, in collaboration with the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA). The event brought together senior leaders from the energy and finance sectors, representatives of global corporations, and international partners to explore the future of digital and sustainable energy in Kuwait. The session featured the participation of KDIPA Director General Sheikh Dr Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and Zain Kuwait's Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Hamad Al-Marzouq, who highlighted Zain's role as a strategic partner in advancing the digital transformation of Kuwait's vital sectors, particularly the energy sector. During the session, Al-Marzouq stated: 'At Zain, we believe that the future of Kuwait's energy sector is rooted in digital innovation, and that our role as a strategic partner goes beyond providing technical solutions. It is about building genuine partnerships that help enhance operational efficiency and deliver long-term sustainability.' Al-Marzouq highlighted Zain's role in digitally empowering the energy sector. He added: 'By leveraging our advanced network and expertise in artificial intelligence and data analytics, we work closely with leading national energy companies to accelerate digital transformation across various environments, including refineries and large-scale industrial facilities, with a focus on improving safety, enhancing efficiency and supporting environmental objectives.' Al-Marzouq concluded: 'We remain fully committed to supporting the New Kuwait 2035 Vision by empowering vital sectors with advanced technologies and strengthening collaboration across public and private sectors. We are proud to play a role in building a sustainable digital economy that aligns with the nation's aspirations and reinforces Kuwait's position as a regional hub for energy and innovation.' The roundtable, titled Empowering Energy Transformation, focused on the pivotal role of the energy sector in supporting Kuwait's vision to become a thriving regional business hub, with a strong focus on attracting investment. The session also explored the importance of local and international partnerships, recent discoveries, and emerging technological advancements in shaping the future of the sector, and the role of the oil and gas industry in driving the transition toward a low-carbon economy that supports Kuwait's national sustainability goals. Zain continues its long-standing partnership with The Business Year, based in London, to support the hosting of such valuable gatherings, as the company strongly believes in the vital role these platforms play in fostering dialogue, exchanging ideas and enabling innovation across various market sectors. Zain also commends the significant efforts of KDIPA in improving Kuwait's business environment, driving economic diversification, enhancing competitiveness, and positioning Kuwait as an attractive global financial and investment hub. The company reaffirms its commitment to supporting these efforts as a proud representative of the Kuwaiti private sector in contributing to the nation's New Kuwait aspirations. Hamad Al-Marzouq: 'We continue to empower the nation's vital sectors through technology to help build a sustainable digital economy.'
Arab Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
New rule adds KD 150 fee to work permits and worker transfers
KUWAIT CITY, June 4: First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef issued Ministerial Resolution No. 4 of 2025, amending Resolution No. 3 of 2024. The changes affect work permit procedures, worker transfers, and fees. The new resolution cancels Article Two of Resolution No. 3 of 2024, which exempted certain sectors from paying additional fees for work permits based on need and approval by the Public Authority for Manpower. With the cancellation of this article, all previously exempted entities must now pay an additional KD 150 fee for each work permit, whether for new employment or worker transfers. Entities affected include government-owned companies; hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities licensed by the Ministry of Health; private universities, colleges, and schools; and foreign investors approved by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority. Other affected sectors are sports clubs, federations, public benefit associations, cooperatives, labor unions, charities and endowments, agricultural plots licensed by the General Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries, hunting, livestock pens, grazing operations, commercial and investment real estate, industrial establishments, and small industries. The resolution also cancels Article Five of the 2024 decision, which required the Public Authority for Manpower's Board to prepare a study on the resolution's impact within one year and submit it, with recommendations, to the relevant minister. The new resolution signals a significant policy shift toward standardizing fees and tightening control over labor permit issuance and worker transfers across both public and private sectors.
Kuwait Times
24-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait eyes ambitious reforms
Sovereign wealth fund head warns investors reduce US exposure at their 'own risk' KUWAIT/DOHA: Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel affirmed on Wednesday that the government is working to implement ambitious economic policies aimed at restructuring the national economy, achieving diversification and facilitating the business environment. This came in a speech delivered by Al-Ajeel during the opening of the Kuwait's New Era conference, organized by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority in cooperation with The Business Year group. The one-day conference brought together a select group of economic leaders and decision-makers from various sectors. In light of these policies, a set of laws and legislation recently implemented by the government were issued, such as the public debt law, which aims to rationalize financing tools and support the country's financial sustainability, as well as the real estate developer law, which will propel the real estate, banking and investment sectors to new levels of growth and development, the minister added. Al-Ajeel pointed to qualitative initiatives and projects that were recently launched, such as the smart license project, the office licenses merger system and amendments to the companies law, as these policies are directly reflected in developing and improving the business environment in Kuwait. 'These government reforms have had an impact on all of the country's economic indicators,' the minister emphasized. Prior to any of these reforms, Kuwait's GDP had witnessed a notable 4 percent growth in non-oil sectors, indicating a real beginning in diversifying sources of income and reducing reliance on traditional resources. He pointed out that the country has witnessed a significant influx of international investments into sectors such as technology, renewable energy and infrastructure, reflecting the extent of foreign investor confidence in Kuwait as a stable and ambitious investment hub. Al-Ajeel stressed that the government looks to the future with confidence, treats challenges as opportunities and is confidently moving toward building a new Kuwaiti economic model, one that believes in partnership, champions modernity and invests in people above all else. Speakers at the conference addressed a number of economic and strategic topics, including national efforts to revive stalled projects and accelerate the implementation of major development projects such as the Al-Zour Refinery, the national railway and Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port, thus strengthening infrastructure and consolidating the foundations of sustainable development. Meanwhile, the head of the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), which manages almost $1 trillion in assets, said the sovereign wealth fund is committed to investing in the US and that investors cut allocations to US assets at their own risk. Some global investors have ditched US assets in recent weeks on fears that US President Donald Trump's overhaul of global trade may hurt the US economy, and could cause deeper long-term damage. The trend looks set to continue given a record number of managers said they planned to keep cutting their exposure to US assets, according to BofA research. Kuwait has been investing in the US market for a 'long time' and that 'won't change', KIA Managing Director Sheikh Saoud Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah said at an investment conference in the Qatari capital on Wednesday. 'I would say it very bluntly, underweight America at your own risk,' he said. Last week, Moody's downgraded the US sovereign credit rating by one notch citing concerns about the nation's growing $36 trillion debt pile, which could make investors more cautious and drive up borrowing costs across the economy. 'They (investors) are merely looking at equity markets, but they're not taking into fact the US has the largest fixed income market, the US has the largest private equity market, the real estate market, infrastructure and credit,' Sheikh Saoud said. 'I think the US has the breadth and depth to sustain its exceptionalism and it has the rule of law as well,' he said. – Agencies
Arab Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait pushes diversification, private sector growth
KUWAIT CITY, May 21: Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel said the government is working hard to implement ambitious economic policies aimed at restructuring the national economy, achieving diversification, facilitating the business environment, expanding participation, and raising the efficiency of the State's financial management. Al-Ajeel made the statement at the opening of the New Kuwait Economic Strategy 2025 Conference the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) organized Wednesday in cooperation with The Business Year Group. KDIPA Director General Sheikh Dr. Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah attended the event, with the participation of a group of economic leaders in and outside Kuwait. According to Al-Ajeel, the government recently implemented a set of laws in light of these economic policies, such as the Public Debt Law, which aims to rationalize financing tools and support the financial sustainability of the State; as well as the Real Estate Developer Law, which will propel the real estate, banking and investment sectors to new stages of growth and development. He cited the initiatives and projects that were launched recently, like the Smart License Project, Office Licenses Merger System, and amendment of the Companies Law, which reflect policies to develop and improve the business environment in the country. He emphasized that 'these government reforms are manifested in the economic indicators of the country.' He explained that before the adoption of these reforms, the gross domestic product (GDP) witnessed a remarkable four percent growth in non-oil sectors, indicating a real beginning in terms of diversifying sources of income and reducing dependence on traditional resources. He stated that 'the government is looking forward to improving these rates in 2025 and the coming years. We have a historic opportunity to move Kuwait to a new phase of growth, productivity and partnership.' Regarding foreign investment, he revealed that Kuwait has adopted measures to improve the investment environment, raise the level of transparency and strengthen legal frameworks, which contributed to a 20 percent increase in foreign direct investment inflows last year. He pointed out that the country has witnessed many international investments in different sectors such as technology, renewable energy, and infrastructure, reflecting the extent of foreign investor confidence in Kuwait as a stable and ambitious investment hub. He added that mega strategic projects like Zour Refinery, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port and Kuwait National Railway, along with the development of smart cities and infrastructure, not only strengthen the economic structure of the country, but also establish a sustainable economy based on innovation, diversity and partnerships between the private sector and the government. He said 'The noble directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah are considered the compass that guides all of us in formulating the economic policies of the State. His Highness has repeatedly emphasized that Kuwait is now facing a historic responsibility that requires serious action to build a resilient and globally open economy based on knowledge and innovation, led by the private sector, supported by the State, and confidently keeping pace with rapid regional and global developments.' He believes that the challenge today does not lie in formulating visions; but in transforming them into reality through cooperation between the public and private sectors, developing national competencies, and strengthening Kuwait's position as an influential economic and investment hub in the region. 'The government looks forward to the future with confidence and treats challenges as opportunities to move assertively toward building a new Kuwaiti economic model -- one that believes in partnership, embraces modernity, and invests in people above all else,' he concluded.
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Kuwait: Minister Al-Ajeel, Gov't to implement economic policies to restructure nat'l economy
KUWAIT -- Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel affirmed on Wednesday that the government is working to implement ambitious economic policies aimed at restructuring the national economy, achieving diversification and facilitating the business environment. This came in a speech delivered by Minister Al-Ajeel during the opening of the "Kuwait New Economic Strategy 2025" conference, organized by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority in cooperation with The Business Year Group. The one-day conference brings together a select group of economic leaders and decision-makers from various sectors. In light of these policies, a set of laws and legislation recently implemented by the government were issued, such as the Public Debt Law, which aims to rationalize financing tools and support the country's financial sustainability, as well as the Real Estate Developer Law, which will propel the real estate, banking, and investment sectors to new levels of growth and development, he added. He pointed to qualitative initiatives and projects that were recently launched, such as the "Smart License" project, the "Office Licenses Merger" system, and amendments to the Companies Law, as these policies are directly reflected in developing and improving the business environment in Kuwait. The minister emphasized, "These government reforms have had an impact on all of the country's economic indicators." Prior to any of these reforms, the GDP had witnessed a notable 4 percent growth in non-oil sectors, indicating a real beginning in diversifying sources of income and reducing reliance on traditional resources. He pointed out that the country has witnessed a significant influx of international investments into sectors such as technology, renewable energy, and infrastructure, reflecting the extent of foreign investor confidence in Kuwait as a stable and ambitious investment hub. Minister Al-Ajeel stressed that the government looks to the future with confidence, treats challenges as opportunities, and is confidently moving toward building a new Kuwaiti economic model, one that believes in partnership, champions modernity, and invests in people above all else. Speakers at the conference addressed a number of economic and strategic topics, including national efforts to revive stalled projects and accelerate the implementation of major development projects such as the Al-Zour Refinery, the National Railway, and Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port, thus strengthening infrastructure and consolidating the foundations of sustainable development. All KUNA right are reserved © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
