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Significant national budget surpluses provide ample funding to invest in industry and support the goals of the National Industrial Strategy 2015-35. The development of technology parks and a focus on electronics and electrical goods can boost the sector. Manufacturing remains the segment’s backbone, though the utilities segment also grew by an impressive 75.2% from 2006 to 2011. While the construction sector looks set for strong growth, the precise scale of immediate opportunities has yet to be determined. This chapter contains an interview with Anas K Al Saleh, Minister of Commerce and Industry.

Kuwait is forging ahead with infrastructure upgrades as part of its $107bn National Development Plan to support all modes of transport. Home to 6% of the world’s oil reserves, hydrocarbons continue to define Kuwait’s current transport infrastructure, yet contemporary strategic goals – in line with Vision 2035 – look to develop the entire sector with diversification as the central focus. If political stability endures then the sector can expect to reap substantial rewards as mega-projects receive government approval in the near term. This chapter contains an interview with Marwan Boodai, CEO, Boodai Group, and Chairman, Jazeera Airways.

Kuwait’s mall culture is currently at the forefront of a resilient and growing retail sector that continues to draw the interest of both international brands and foreign investors. The number of shopping centres continues to grow and international brands find opportunities in local markets, with luxury segments showing a strong recovery and growth. The automobile industry has also performed well, with annual growth of 8-9% on the back of solid fundamentals. Recent years have seen the rapid rise of hypermarket retail, representing the sector’s most dynamic vector, with limited familiarity with modern grocery retail formats presents an opportunity for investors.

With the introduction of 4G, the highly competitive telecoms market is likely to see growing use of smartphones and data services. The future development of the sector would be greatly aided by a new telecoms law and the emergence of an independent regulator. The need for this is clear and the Ministry of Communications has a plan to address this. In IT, state spending remains the primary growth driver, alongside the wealthy, young and tech-savvy consumer base.

Driven by a national development strategy, a raft of new projects are taking shape in the construction industry, all of which provide opportunities for both domestic and foreign contractors. Meanwhile, real estate is in the early stages of a recovery, with legislation and the high purchasing power of a young and expanding population helping the sector to regain lost momentum. This chapter contains an interview with Adel Al Roumi, President, Partnerships Technical Bureau.

Hydrocarbons wealth has been the central pillar of Kuwait’s economy for nearly a century, and the nation’s proven oil reserves of around 101bn barrels underwrite its future economic wellbeing. However, the supply of non-associated natural gas, which the country discovered in 2006, has fallen behind demand, as domestic electricity generation infrastructure struggles to keep pace. Still, Kuwait has many options when it comes to resolving the challenges facing its energy sector: new fields and new technologies. This chapter contains interviews with Farouq Al Zanki, Former CEO, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation; and Sara Akbar, CEO, Kuwait Energy.