Kuwait

As hydrocarbons’ contribution to Kuwait’s GDP is predicted to fall this year, growth is increasingly seen as hinging on the success of an ambitious state investment programme. However, concerns over delays to its implementation have raised questions as to how significantly it will boost GDP.

As the waiting list for government-subsidised housing in Kuwait has grown to more than 100,000 in 2013, projects aimed at combating the shortage will see a number of new construction projects in the coming years. Sluggish residential real estate growth and restrictive legislation have created difficulties for the sector, but new public-private partnerships (PPPs) and improved credit access could help alleviate Kuwait’s housing problems.

A landmark flight from Baghdad that touched down in late February at Kuwait International Airport looks set to usher in a new era of stronger economic ties between the two Gulf neighbours. The resumption of direct air-travel between Iraq's capital and Kuwait, which is building on a steadily rising flow of traffic between the two countries, spells good news for business leaders.

The banking sector in Kuwait maintained solid fundamentals in the face of a number of difficulties in 2012, including continued regional unrest, a volatile euro and global economic uncertainty. In line with the conservative approach the sector has followed for years, many banks continued to practice prudent lending policies and to transfer funds to provisions. In light of recent solid growth, however, some in the sector are looking for a shift away from conservative policies to those that could spur lending and accelerate growth.

The construction industry is looking to a series of projects, combined with increasing demand from the private sector, to generate momentum following a period of minimal growth and thin margins.

The launch of 4G long-term evolution (LTE) services in Kuwait has sparked a wave of increased activity among mobile operators as they move to attract new business in what is already a fiercely competitive telecoms market.