Sitting at the confluence of three of the most populous and prosperous countries in the Middle East – Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia – Kuwait is a logical transport centre for the northern Gulf and the country has committed itself to making investments towards attaining that goal. Expansion of the main airport is under way, while a new port is set to increase Kuwait’s capacity as a shipping hub....
While the insurance sector has posted steady growth in recent years, in general it remains relatively small, with the energy sector underpinning a great deal of the activity in the market. Insurance penetration was reported at 0.6% in 2012, which was the lowest penetration rate in the GCC at the time. However, there is optimism among locals as gross written premiums as a whole have continued...
One of the foremost and earliest players in the global market for Islamic financial services, Kuwait could soon see the segment play a larger role in the banking sector. Half way through 2013, Kuwait housed more than $70bn in sharia-compliant banking assets, around 6% of the global total and a figure widely expected to grow in the coming years. Key drivers include a sector- wide focus on asset...
The Kuwait Stock Exchange is the fourth-largest GCC bourse by market capitalisation, with earnings and market capitalisation rising substantially in 2012. The majority of trading activity is among small-cap stocks, but many local players remain optimistic about future performance. The privatisation of the exchange is expected to take place by the end of 2014, and this is widely anticipated to...
The banking sector is considered the backbone of the non-oil economy. The industry has posted steady growth since the global downturn and total assets of local banks were $190.2bn at the end of the first quarter of 2014, up from $181.1bn at the end of 2013 and $158.6bn at the end of 2012. Banking and financial sector legislation that was enacted during 2009 has been helping improve stability...
Seven decades of expanding oil production have led to Kuwait having one of the world’s highest GDP-per-capita ratios. The generous welfare system guarantees free education, health care and housing to citizens, while subsidised electricity, water and fuel prices are offered to residents. GDP growth reached 4.5% in 2013 and is expected to rise to 5% in 2014, while fiscal reforms will help ensure...
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