Country Profile

Kuwait has rebounded strongly from the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic, and public finances have been bolstered by elevated oil prices in 2021-22. With one of the most dynamic political systems in the region, the hope is that the executive and legislative branches of Kuwait’s government can work together to advance the policy changes and strategies needed to fulfil the ambitions of the country’s long-term development plan, New Kuwait 2035. Recently, Kuwait has been pursuing a programme of economic diversification to jump-start expansion of the private sector via infrastructure projects and the privatisation of government assets. Among the many priorities of New Kuwait 2035 are goals to expand the role of the private sector, incentivise public-private partnerships, upgrade existing infrastructure, and generate a support mechanism for small and medium-sized enterprises.

This chapter contains a viewpoint from Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.